Most common during tax season, IRS scams can happen at any time and cause millions of dollars of losses. Using unsolicited messages through email, phone calls, texts or social media, fraudsters lure victims into providing personal and financial information or sending money through unusual methods.
Here are a few telltale signs of an IRS Scam:
- Unexpected messages about your tax returns
- Aggressive claims that you owe money or have legal charges against you
- Promises of an unrealistically large tax return
- Requests for payment through unusual methods (prepaid cards, gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency, etc)
The IRS does not leave pre-recorded, urgent or threatening messages. Criminals can fake or “spoof” caller ID numbers to appear to be anywhere in the country, including from an IRS office. This prevents taxpayers from being able to verify the true call number.
Keep yourself safe from IRS Scams:
- Do not click links or open attachments in unsolicited, suspicious or unexpected text messages – whether from the IRS, state tax agencies or others in the tax community.
- Be suspicious of calls, emails or texts claiming to be from the IRS. The IRS initiates contact mostly through regular mail delivered by the United States Postal Service.
- The IRS will never demand a tax payment with no opportunity to question the amount
- Hang up if someone is threatening to bring local police or law enforcement unless you cooperate with them
