Got a call or text claiming to be the IRS, saying you owe money or face arrest? It’s a scam. The IRS does not call, text, or email demanding immediate payment or threatening police. Here’s how to spot and handle it.
👉 Unsure about a message? Check it with our free Scam Checker.
How the IRS Scam Works
Scammers pose as IRS agents and claim you owe back taxes. They use fear — threats of arrest, deportation, or license suspension — to pressure immediate payment, often by gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency.
Red Flags of a Fake IRS Contact
- Demands immediate payment. The real IRS mails bills first and gives you time to appeal.
- Threatens arrest or police. The IRS never threatens to send law enforcement over a phone call.
- Asks for gift cards or crypto. No government agency accepts these — a guaranteed scam.
- Requests card or SSN over the phone. The IRS already has your information.
What to Do
- Hang up. Don’t press buttons or follow prompts.
- Never pay with gift cards, wire, or crypto.
- Verify any real tax matter directly at irs.gov.
- Report the scam to the Treasury Inspector General (TIGTA) and at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
For more protection, read about checking scam numbers and unknown-number texts.
Bottom line: the IRS won’t call to threaten you or demand gift cards. Hang up and verify at irs.gov.
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