Is This IRS Email a Scam? How to Tell
IRS impersonation is one of the most prevalent government scams, featuring threatening calls about back taxes, fake audit notices, and phishing emails about tax refunds designed to steal SSNs and financial information.
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Scan Now — It's FreeCommon IRS Scam Types
Example Scam Messages
These are examples of fake messages impersonating IRS. Never click links in unsolicited messages.
“IRS NOTICE: You owe $4,328 in back taxes. Pay immediately with gift cards to avoid arrest. Call 1-888-XXX-XXXX.”
“IRS: Your tax refund of $3,249.00 is ready. Claim at irs-refund.com by providing your SSN and bank details.”
Red Flags to Watch For
- Threatening calls demanding immediate payment
- Requests for payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency
- Emails from non-irs.gov domains
- Threats of arrest or deportation
- Unsolicited calls about tax issues
Legitimate IRS Contact Info
Visit irs.gov or call 1-800-829-1040. The IRS initiates most contact through U.S. mail. The IRS will never demand payment via gift cards or threaten arrest.
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