Pretends to be the IRS
Fake IRS or tax message
Is a call, text or email from the IRS or a state tax agency demanding payment or a refund link a scam?
Yes, most of the time. The IRS usually writes first by mail and never threatens arrest or contacts you by social media message. Check your account at irs.gov.
Almost always fake. Stop, then check by calling a number you already have.
Also searched as: IRS agent, back taxes, tax refund text, IRS letter, state tax agency, Treasury Department, US tax
Draft: we're still checking this page. The quotes below are word for word from their sources.
What to do
On the phone right now?
- Stop. Hang up or close the message. Don't tap anything.
- Check. Call a number you already have, like the one on your card or bill.
- Talk to someone you trust before you pay anyone.
If anyone is in danger right now, call 911.
If you already paid
- Call the company you paid through right away: your bank, card company, gift card company, or the wire or Zelle service. Ask them to stop or reverse the payment.
- Call the Justice Department's National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-372-8311, Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern.
- Report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. If it happened online, report it at IC3.gov too.
General information, not legal or financial advice. If you've lost money, contact your bank and report it.
How it works
1 They reach you by
- Phone call
- Text message
- Social media
- Letter or postcard
- Website
- In person
2 They pretend to be
- Police or government
- Someone else
3 They ask for
- Money
- Personal details
- Tap a link
- Gift cards
- Wire or Zelle
What it can look like
Example pattern, not a real message
Pretends to be the IRS. What gives it away:
- Pay with gift cards
- Send a wire or Zelle
- Give your ID numbers
What they may say
“you will be arrested, deported, or will lose your driver’s license if you don’t pay right now”
Warning signs
- They tell you to buy gift cards and read them the numbers. No real agency or company asks to be paid that way.
- They push you to send a wire transfer or Zelle payment. That money is very hard to get back.
- They contacted you, then ask for your Social Security, Medicare or bank numbers.
- They want you to use their link or their phone number. Look up the real website or number yourself.
- They say you must pay right now or something bad will happen. Real organizations give you time to check.
Why we say this
How to know it's the IRS
This guide explains how the IRS really contacts people, so you can spot impersonators. The IRS usually writes first by mail. It emails or texts only if you opt in. It never contacts people by social media direct message. Surprise visits are rare, and real agents carry ID.
Know how and when we contact you so you can protect yourself from impersonators.
4 more quotes from this source
A social media direct message is never from us.
We normally contact you the first time by mail delivered by the U.S. Postal Service.
If you feel unsafe, call 911.
If the person doesn't show you these IDs or you aren’t sure about them, call the number on the card provided by the revenue officer or agent.
Dirty Dozen tax scams for 2026: IRS reminds taxpayers to watch out for dangerous threats (Item 1: fake IRS emails and texts)
Scammers send emails, texts and social media messages that look like they come from the IRS. The messages use scary words and QR codes. The links lead to fake IRS websites that steal your personal information or plant harmful software.
The IRS urges taxpayers not to click links or open attachments from unexpected messages and to report suspicious IRS-related emails, DMs, and texts.
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The IRS reported over 600 social media impersonators during fiscal year 2025.
As a reminder, never click any unsolicited communication claiming to be from the IRS, as it may install malware surreptitiously.
Don’t click unexpected links or open unexpected attachments.
To report suspected IRS-related phishing emails or messages, send them to phishing@irs.gov and follow IRS reporting instructions.
Attorney General Bonta Warns Californians of Text-Based Scams Targeting Taxpayers
Fake texts claim to be from the California Franchise Tax Board and offer a tax refund if you share personal information. Scam calls and emails pretending to be the IRS or FTB threaten arrest or deportation unless you pay now.
These fraudulent texts claim to come from the State of California Franchise Tax Board (FTB) and ask consumers to provide personal information in order to receive their so-called tax refund.
6 more quotes from this source
If you receive a suspicious or unsolicited text message claiming to be from FTB, do not respond or click on any links, as the text may be a phishing scam.
The scammer will harass you and use high-pressure tactics claiming that you will be arrested, deported, or will lose your driver’s license if you don’t pay right now.
Sometimes the scammer will even know your Social Security number or fake the caller ID so that it looks like they are calling from the IRS or FTB.
If a government agency calls you and asks for financial or personal information, hang up and go to the agency’s official website (which should be a .gov website) and call them directly.
As a rule of thumb, real government officials will never ask for payment in the form of gift cards, prepaid debit cards, wire transfers, Internet currency, or by mailing cash.
**Talk to friends and family:** Always seek a second opinion from your friends and family.