What should I do if I got the irs impersonation scam?

Hang up, delete the text, do not click the link. If you think you might owe, log in at irs.gov/account to see your real balance, or call the IRS at the number on irs.gov. Forward scam emails and texts to phishing@irs.gov. Report impersonation calls to the Treasury Inspector General at tigta.gov.

What if I already paid or gave information?

Gift cards, call the issuer and report the cards; wire, call your bank for a recall; crypto, report to the exchange and ic3.gov. If you gave your Social Security number, file at identitytheft.gov and get an IRS Identity Protection PIN so nobody can file a return in your name. If you gave bank details, call the bank and have the account secured.

Does the IRS ever call or visit?

After it has written to you about a specific matter, yes, in some situations, and revenue officers can visit. It still never demands payment by gift card, wire or crypto, and never threatens arrest on a call.

How do I know if an IRS letter is real?

Real notices carry a notice number (CP14, LT11) and match what you see at irs.gov/account. Look up the number in our IRS notices guide.

Scam record · 437 reader reports

The IRS impersonation scam

Also called: IRS phone scam, fake IRS call, IRS text scam, tax refund text scam, IRS arrest warrant scam

By The Latchkey Daily Team, EditorsPublished January 10, 2027Updated January 10, 2027

The IRS impersonation scam is a call, text or email from someone claiming to be the IRS, demanding immediate payment of back taxes by gift card, wire or crypto under threat of arrest, or offering a refund you can claim by clicking a link and entering your Social Security number and bank details.

What to do right now

Hang up, delete the text, do not click the link.
If you think you might owe, log in at irs.gov/account to see your real balance, or call the IRS at the number on irs.gov.
Forward scam emails and texts to phishing@irs.gov.
Report impersonation calls to the Treasury Inspector General at tigta.gov.

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How it works

There are two versions. The threat: a call or voicemail says you owe back taxes, a warrant is being issued, and only an immediate payment stops it. The caller knows the last four digits of your Social Security number (bought from a breach) and sounds official. The payment is always something irreversible.

The refund: a text or email says your refund or stimulus payment is waiting, and you need to click to claim it. The page asks for your Social Security number, date of birth, driver’s license and bank login “to deposit the refund.” That is everything needed to file a fraudulent return in your name and to empty the account.

The real IRS does neither. It sends letters first, it does not demand a payment method, and it does not threaten police. If a letter does arrive, our IRS notices guide explains what each one means and what to do.

If you already paid or gave information

Gift cards, call the issuer and report the cards; wire, call your bank for a recall; crypto, report to the exchange and ic3.gov.
If you gave your Social Security number, file at identitytheft.gov and get an IRS Identity Protection PIN so nobody can file a return in your name.
If you gave bank details, call the bank and have the account secured.

Where to report it

TIGTA (IRS impersonation)
FTC: reportfraud.ftc.gov
FBI IC3: ic3.gov
Report it to Latchkey Daily so we can warn other readers

Reaches you by: phone text email · Targets: retirees small business

Questions people ask

What is the irs impersonation scam?: The IRS impersonation scam is a call, text or email from someone claiming to be the IRS, demanding immediate payment of back taxes by gift card, wire or crypto under threat of arrest, or offering a refund you can claim by clicking a link and entering your Social Security number and bank details.
What should I do if I got the irs impersonation scam?: Hang up, delete the text, do not click the link. If you think you might owe, log in at irs.gov/account to see your real balance, or call the IRS at the number on irs.gov. Forward scam emails and texts to phishing@irs.gov. Report impersonation calls to the Treasury Inspector General at tigta.gov.
What if I already paid or gave information?: Gift cards, call the issuer and report the cards; wire, call your bank for a recall; crypto, report to the exchange and ic3.gov. If you gave your Social Security number, file at identitytheft.gov and get an IRS Identity Protection PIN so nobody can file a return in your name. If you gave bank details, call the bank and have the account secured.
Does the IRS ever call or visit?: After it has written to you about a specific matter, yes, in some situations, and revenue officers can visit. It still never demands payment by gift card, wire or crypto, and never threatens arrest on a call.
How do I know if an IRS letter is real?: Real notices carry a notice number (CP14, LT11) and match what you see at irs.gov/account. Look up the number in our IRS notices guide.

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