Common IRS Impersonation Scams (And How to Report Them)

If someone reaches out saying they’re from the IRS and demands money right now, your scam radar should go off. IRS impersonation scams are everywhere—by phone, text, email, social media, even through the mail. The good news? Once you know the red flags and the official reporting steps, you can protect your money and your identity.

This guide walks you through the most common IRS imposter tactics, exactly how to spot them, and the precise places to report them so the right teams can act fast. I’ll keep it simple and practical, and I’ll highlight what the real IRS actually does (and doesn’t do) so you can tell legit from fake in seconds.

What Are IRS Impersonation Scams?

In an IRS impersonation scam, someone pretends to be an IRS employee (or a tax contractor) to scare or trick you into paying money or handing over personal info like your Social Security number or bank details. They lean hard on fear and urgency—“Pay now or get arrested,” “Your refund is frozen,” “We’re suing you”—because panic makes people act without double-checking. These scams spike during tax season but happen all year.

Why do scammers target you? Because taxes feel serious and complicated. When an “official” person calls or emails, many folks freeze. Add in caller ID spoofing and fake websites, and it’s easy to see how even careful people get fooled.

The Most Common IRS Impersonation Scams

1) Phone Call Scams

A “special agent” calls from a number that looks like the IRS. They might know some of your personal details to sound legit. Then comes the pressure: pay immediately (often by wire, gift card, or crypto) or face arrest, deportation, license suspension, or a lawsuit. Hang up. Real IRS agents don’t threaten you like this or demand odd payment methods.

Classic tells:

Threats and demands to pay right now
Payment methods like gift cards, wire transfers, prepaid debit cards, or crypto
No chance to appeal or ask questions

2) Email Scams (Phishing)

You get an email about a “refund,” “suspicious activity,” or “account verification.” The message urges you to click a link or open an attachment. Don’t. These links steal logins or install malware. If you get one, forward it—with the full email headers—to [email protected].

3) Text Message Scams (Smishing)

Short texts promise refunds, warn about “unpaid taxes,” or include a short link. The IRS says to copy the text (and the sender’s number) into a single email and send it to [email protected]. You can also forward the text to 7726 (that spells “SPAM”) to alert your wireless carrier.

4) Mail Fraud and Fake Letters

Some scammers send physical letters that mimic IRS notices. Look for typos, weird payment instructions, or wrong contact details. If you suspect mail fraud, report it to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.

5) Social Media and Online Accounts

Fake IRS profiles message you on Facebook, X/Twitter, or LinkedIn with refund or “verification” hooks. Don’t interact. Report the profile on the platform and email the details (including the account’s URL) to [email protected].

6) “Tax Professional” or Third-Party Impersonation

Posers claim they’re tax pros or “special IRS liaisons” who can get you a bigger refund—then they disappear with your info or your money. Always verify preparers and avoid anyone who promises huge refunds or refuses to sign your return. (Legit preparers have a PTIN and sign your return.)

Red Flags That Scream “Scam”

Use this quick checklist any time someone claims to be from the IRS:

Demands for immediate payment or threats of arrest, deportation, license suspension, or lawsuits
Weird payment methods (gift cards, crypto, wire, prepaid cards)
Unsolicited requests for SSNs, bank logins, or other sensitive info
Bad grammar, odd links, or strange sender addresses in emails
Contact that starts via email, text, social media DM, or phone demanding personal info or payment (the IRS typically initiates contact by mail)

How the Real IRS Contacts You (So You Can Verify)

Mail first. The IRS typically contacts you initially by U.S. Postal Service mail. Use the notice or letter number to verify at IRS.gov or by logging into your IRS online account.
They won’t demand instant payment by phone, email, text, or social media.
They won’t threaten arrest for nonpayment.
They won’t ask you to pay by gift cards, wire, or crypto.

If you’re unsure, don’t use the phone number or link in the message you received. Instead, go to IRS.gov and contact the IRS using the official channels listed there.

Real-World Patterns (What We See Again and Again)

“You owe back taxes—pay now.” Caller ID looks official; the caller is aggressive.
“Confirm your refund.” Email or text with a link to a fake IRS login page.
“We flagged your SSN.” Scammers claim your SSN is “suspended” or “under investigation” to scare you into sharing more data or paying fees.

How to Protect Yourself (Day-to-Day)

1) Verify before you respond

If you receive any surprise contact about taxes, pause. Don’t click links, don’t download files, and don’t call numbers in the message. Go to IRS.gov directly to cross-check.

2) Guard your personal information

Don’t share your SSN, bank details, or login codes over phone, email, or text. Use strong passwords, turn on multi-factor authentication, and store tax documents securely.

3) Get an Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN)

An IP PIN is a 6-digit number that helps stop someone from filing a tax return in your name. You can get one from the IRS if you qualify.

4) Coach your family (especially seniors and new taxpayers)

Talk openly about common scams and red flags. Make a family rule: no one sends money or personal info after a surprise contact—not until someone else verifies it on IRS.gov.

Exactly How to Report IRS Impersonation Scams

When you report, you help investigators shut down active scams—and you protect other taxpayers. Here’s how to do it the right way based on the type of scam:

A) Phone Calls Claiming to Be the IRS

Hang up. Don’t engage.
Report it to TIGTA (Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration).
- Use TIGTA’s hotline form or call 800-366-4484.
Email details to the IRS: Send the caller’s number and any details to [email protected] with subject line “IRS Phone Scam.”

Tip: If you think you might actually owe, don’t call back the number that called you. Go to IRS.gov and use official contact info.

B) Email (Phishing)

Don’t click anything.
Forward the email to [email protected], including the full email headers if you can. (The IRS has step-by-step instructions for grabbing headers.)

C) Text Messages (Smishing)

Copy the text (and the sender’s number) into one email and send to [email protected].
Forward the text to 7726 (SPAM) to alert your wireless carrier.

D) Social Media or Fake Online Profiles

Report the account on the platform.
Email details (including the profile URL and screenshots) to [email protected].
You can also notify TIGTA using its hotline form.

E) Fraudulent Mail / Fake Letters

Don’t use any phone number or link on the suspicious letter.
Verify at IRS.gov (search the notice or letter number).
If it looks like mail fraud, report it to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.

F) Where else to report

FTC: Report scams and identity theft at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and IdentityTheft.gov (you’ll get a personal recovery plan if your identity was stolen).
IC3 (FBI): The IRS also points victims to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center for online fraud.

What to Do If You Already Paid or Shared Info

Take a breath. Then move quickly:

If you paid:
- Contact your bank/credit card to dispute or reverse the charge.
- Gift cards/crypto/wire: Contact the issuer/exchange immediately—time is everything.
If you shared personal info:
- File a report at IdentityTheft.gov. They’ll generate step-by-step recovery tasks and letters for you.
- Consider a credit freeze with Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
- Watch your accounts and credit for any new activity.
If someone filed a fake tax return in your name (or tried):
- File Form 14039 (Identity Theft Affidavit) online or by mail/fax only if it’s tax-related identity theft and you haven’t already received an IRS letter that covers this process.
- Keep filing your taxes and paying what you owe as usual while the IRS resolves the identity theft case.
Consider an IP PIN to lock your tax account against fake returns going forward.

Quick Reference: Who to Contact (by scenario)

Phone scam: TIGTA hotline form or 800-366-4484; also email details to [email protected] (“IRS Phone Scam”).
Email scam: Forward the email with headers to [email protected].
Text scam: Email the text + number to [email protected] and forward the text to 7726.
Fake social media account: Report on the platform and email the account URL to [email protected]; you can also alert TIGTA.
Suspicious mail: Verify notices at IRS.gov; for mail fraud, report to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
Identity theft or fraud losses: IdentityTheft.gov for recovery steps; ReportFraud.ftc.gov for non-ID-theft fraud reports; IC3 for internet crimes.

Extra Tips So You Don’t Get Caught Off-Guard

File early during tax season. The earlier you file, the less time scammers have to sneak in a fake return.
Use secure, known channels when you upload tax docs or sign returns.
Choose a reputable tax pro. Look for a valid PTIN and a preparer who signs your return—avoid anyone promising “huge guaranteed refunds” or asking you to sign a blank return.
Keep records. If you get a weird call, text, or email, screenshot or jot down details. Those details help TIGTA and the IRS disrupt scammers.

Why Reporting Matters (Beyond Your Own Case)

TIGTA and the IRS use your reports to find patterns, block domains and phone numbers, and bring cases to court. TIGTA has documented thousands of victims and major losses, and your quick report helps investigators move faster.

Bottom Line

If someone claims to be from the IRS and pressures you to act fast or pay in unusual ways, assume it’s a scam. The IRS generally starts with a letter, not a phone call, text, or DM asking for money or personal info. When in doubt, go straight to IRS.gov and use the official contact options listed there. Then report what you got to the right place—[email protected], TIGTA, USPS Inspection Service, FTC, and IC3—so the next person doesn’t get burned.