An IRS impersonation scam is a type of fraud in which criminals pose as IRS employees in order to trick victims into paying money that they do not owe. The scammers may call, email, or send letters to their victims, demanding payment for back taxes, penalties, or other fees. They may also threaten to arrest or deport the victim if they do not pay.
How do IRS impersonation scams work?
IRS impersonation scams typically work in one of two ways:
- Telephone scams: The scammer will call the victim and claim to be from the IRS. They may use a fake caller ID to make it look like the call is coming from the IRS. The scammer will then demand payment for back taxes, penalties, or other fees. They may also threaten to arrest or deport the victim if they do not pay.
- Email scams: The scammer will send the victim an email that appears to be from the IRS. The email will usually contain a warning that the victim owes money to the IRS and must pay immediately. The email may also contain a link that, when clicked, will take the victim to a fake IRS website. The fake website will ask the victim to enter their personal information, such as their Social Security number and bank account information.
How to protect yourself from IRS impersonation scams
There are a few things you can do to protect yourself from IRS impersonation scams:
- Never give out your personal information over the phone or in an email. The IRS will never call or email you and demand payment for back taxes or other fees. If you receive a call or email from someone claiming to be from the IRS, hang up the phone or delete the email.
- Be suspicious of any calls or emails that seem threatening or urgent. The IRS will not threaten to arrest or deport you if you do not pay your taxes. If you receive a call or email that is threatening or urgent, hang up the phone or delete the email.
- Only contact the IRS through official channels. The IRS has a website and a toll-free number that you can use to contact them. You can also find contact information for your local IRS office on the IRS website.
- Report any suspicious calls or emails to the IRS. If you receive a call or email that you think is from an IRS impersonator, you can report it to the IRS by calling 1–800–829–1040. You can also report it online at the IRS website.
Tips for spotting an IRS impersonation scam
Here are some tips for spotting an IRS impersonation scam:
- The caller or email sender will often be very aggressive and demanding.
- The caller or email sender may threaten to arrest or deport you if you do not pay.
- The caller or email sender may ask you to pay with a gift card or wire transfer.
- The caller or email sender may ask you to provide your personal information, such as your Social Security number or bank account information.
If you think you have been the victim of an IRS impersonation scam, you should:
- Do not pay any money.
- Report the scam to the IRS.
- Place a fraud alert on your credit report.
- Monitor your credit report for any unauthorized activity.
The IRS will never demand payment for back taxes or other fees over the phone or in an email. If you receive a call or email that you think is from an IRS impersonator, hang up the phone or delete the email. You can also report the scam to the IRS by calling 1–800–829–1040 or online at the IRS website.
See Scam and Fraud Protection for 2023 for more information and make sure to Sign Up for our Scam Prevention Newsletter.
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