IRS impersonation email, text, and phone scams
Last verified:
Scammers impersonate the IRS through email, text, social media messages, and phone calls. They may claim you owe tax, must verify an account, or are due a refund — often with links or QR codes to fake IRS sites. According to IRS guidance, the IRS does not initiate contact by email, text, or social media to demand payment or sensitive information.
- Impersonated brand
- Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
- Scam type
- Government impersonation
- Common delivery methods
- Email, SMS / text message, Phone call, Social media
How this scam works
You receive an unexpected message or call claiming to be from the IRS. It may use high-pressure language about owed tax, account suspension, arrest, or a refund you must claim immediately. Email and text versions often include links or QR codes to fake IRS login pages. Phone versions may use spoofed caller ID, robocalls, or AI-generated voices. Scammers may ask for Social Security numbers, bank details, or payment by gift cards, wire transfer, cryptocurrency, or other hard-to-reverse methods.
Warning signs
- Unexpected email, text, or social media direct message claiming to be from the IRS.
- Demands for immediate payment or threats of arrest or license revocation.
- Requests for payment by gift card, cryptocurrency, wire transfer, or prepaid cards.
- Links or QR codes to “verify” your IRS account or claim a refund.
- Pressure to act before you can independently verify the contact.
- A caller who refuses to allow you to hang up and call back using official IRS contact options.
How to verify safely
- Do not click links or open attachments in unexpected IRS-themed messages.
- Know that the IRS generally contacts taxpayers by mail first for many matters.
- Review IRS guidance on how to authenticate notices at IRS.gov.
- Use official IRS reporting channels for suspicious messages rather than replying to the sender.
- If you use a tax professional, ask them to help verify any unexpected IRS contact.
If you received this message
- Do not pay or share personal information in response to the message or call.
- Hang up on threatening or high-pressure callers and verify through IRS.gov.
- Forward suspicious IRS-related emails to phishing@irs.gov following IRS reporting instructions.
- Keep copies of messages or call details for reporting.
If you already clicked or paid
- Contact your financial institution immediately if you shared payment details.
- Follow IRS identity theft guidance at IRS.gov/idtheft if tax identity may be affected.
- File reports with local law enforcement where appropriate and retain evidence.
Official reporting guidance
- Report IRS phishing emails and smishing to phishing@irs.gov (see IRS reporting instructions).
- Report fraud tips through IRS.gov/submitatip where applicable.
- Report to ReportFraud.ftc.gov and ic3.gov.
- Report suspected tax identity theft using IRS identity theft resources if needed.
Check a suspicious link
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Fraudly resources
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The IRS is a real agency and may send legitimate mail or make scheduled contacts in specific circumstances. This alert describes criminal impersonation, not every IRS notice. Fraudly cannot confirm whether a specific contact is genuine.
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