How to Spot (and Avoid) IRS Impersonation Scams

Unfortunately, IRS impersonation scams are still going strong. Scammers may reach out by phone, email, text, or even social media—pretending to be the IRS to trick you into giving up personal or financial information.

Here’s how to know what’s real and what’s not:

🚫 The IRS Will Never Do the Following:

• Contact you via email, text, or social media to ask for personal or financial info

• Leave pre-recorded voicemails threatening arrest or legal action

• Demand payment using gift cards, store cards, or prepaid debit cards

✅ How the IRS Does Contact You:

• Typically starts with a mailed letter or official notice

• May follow up by phone—but not with threats or demands

• Private collection agencies may call, but only after you’ve been notified in writing

• As of 2023, the IRS has stopped making unannounced home visits by revenue officers

🔐 Stay Safe:

• Don’t click on suspicious links or respond to unsolicited messages

• Never give out your Social Security number, bank info, or passwords to unknown callers or emailers

• If you get something suspicious, you can log into your IRS Online Account to verify if it’s real.

• When in doubt, go directly to the source: IRS Identity Theft Central

If you’re ever unsure, I’m happy to help you verify a letter or notice. Better safe than scammed.