The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) warns taxpayers to be aware of phone scams that attempt to steal their personal and financial information. These scams often involve criminals calling and impersonating IRS agents, threatening legal action or arrest if the taxpayer does not immediately pay a supposed tax debt.
The IRS emphasizes that it will never call taxpayers to demand immediate payment over the phone. If you receive a call from someone claiming to be from the IRS and demanding payment, it is most likely a scam. The IRS also does not use scare tactics or threaten to arrest or deport taxpayers. If you are unsure about the legitimacy of a call, hang up and call the IRS directly at 1-800-829-1040.
To protect yourself from IRS phone scams, it is important to be aware of the common tactics used by criminals. These tactics include:
Irs Phone Scams 2024
The IRS warns taxpayers to be aware of phone scams that attempt to steal their personal and financial information. These scams often involve criminals calling and impersonating IRS agents, threatening legal action or arrest if the taxpayer does not immediately pay a supposed tax debt.
- Never pay over the phone
- IRS will not call to demand payment
- Do not give personal information
- Hang up and call the IRS
- Report the scam to the IRS
- Be aware of common scammer tactics
- Protect your personal information
- File your taxes on time
By following these tips, you can help protect yourself from IRS phone scams.
Never pay over the phone
The IRS will never call you and demand that you pay your taxes over the phone. If you receive a call from someone claiming to be from the IRS and demanding payment, it is a scam. The IRS will always send you a bill in the mail before taking any collection action.
- Do not give your credit card or debit card number over the phone to someone claiming to be from the IRS. The IRS will never ask for your credit card or debit card number over the phone.
- Do not provide your Social Security number or other personal information over the phone to someone claiming to be from the IRS. The IRS will never ask for your Social Security number or other personal information over the phone unless you have already initiated contact with the IRS.
- Do not send cash or a money order to someone claiming to be from the IRS. The IRS will never ask you to send cash or a money order.
- If you receive a call from someone claiming to be from the IRS and demanding payment, hang up and call the IRS directly at 1-800-829-1040.
By following these tips, you can help protect yourself from IRS phone scams.
IRS will not call to demand payment
The IRS will not call you to demand immediate payment over the phone. If you receive a call from someone claiming to be from the IRS and demanding payment, it is a scam. The IRS will always send you a bill in the mail before taking any collection action.
- The IRS will not call you to threaten you with arrest or deportation. The IRS does not have the authority to arrest or deport you.
- The IRS will not call you to demand that you pay your taxes using a specific payment method, such as a prepaid debit card or wire transfer. The IRS accepts a variety of payment methods, including cash, check, money order, and credit card.
- The IRS will not call you to ask for your Social Security number or other personal information unless you have already initiated contact with the IRS.
- If you receive a call from someone claiming to be from the IRS and demanding payment, hang up and call the IRS directly at 1-800-829-1040.
By following these tips, you can help protect yourself from IRS phone scams.
Do not give personal information
The IRS will never ask for your Social Security number, credit card number, or other personal information over the phone unless you have already initiated contact with the IRS.
- If you receive a call from someone claiming to be from the IRS and asking for your personal information, hang up and call the IRS directly at 1-800-829-1040.
- Do not give your personal information to anyone who calls you and claims to be from the IRS. The IRS will only contact you by mail or through your online IRS account.
- If you receive a suspicious email or text message that appears to be from the IRS, do not click on any links or open any attachments. Forward the email or text message to phishing@irs.gov.
- Be careful about what information you post on social media. Do not post your Social Security number, credit card number, or other personal information on social media.
By following these tips, you can help protect yourself from IRS phone scams and other types of identity theft.
Hang up and call the IRS
If you receive a call from someone claiming to be from the IRS and demanding payment or personal information, hang up and call the IRS directly at 1-800-829-1040.
- The IRS will never call you to demand immediate payment over the phone.
- The IRS will never ask for your Social Security number or other personal information over the phone unless you have already initiated contact with the IRS.
- If you are unsure whether a call is legitimate, hang up and call the IRS directly at 1-800-829-1040.
- You can also report the scam to the IRS by calling 1-800-366-4484.
By following these tips, you can help protect yourself from IRS phone scams.
Report the scam to the IRS
If you receive a call from someone claiming to be from the IRS and demanding payment or personal information, you can report the scam to the IRS by calling 1-800-366-4484. You can also report the scam online at the IRS website: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/report-phishing.
When you report the scam, be sure to provide the following information:
- The date and time of the call
- The phone number that the scammer called from
- The name of the person who called
- A description of the scam
The IRS will use this information to investigate the scam and take appropriate action.
Reporting IRS phone scams is important because it helps the IRS to identify and stop these scams. It also helps the IRS to educate taxpayers about these scams so that they can protect themselves.
If you have any questions about IRS phone scams, you can contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040.
Be aware of common scammer tactics
IRS phone scammers often use a variety of tactics to trick taxpayers into giving up their personal information or money. Some of the most common scammer tactics include:
- Impersonating IRS agents. Scammers often call taxpayers and pretend to be IRS agents. They may use official-sounding names and badge numbers, and they may even have caller ID that makes it appear that they are calling from the IRS.
- Threatening taxpayers. Scammers may threaten taxpayers with arrest, deportation, or other legal action if they do not pay the supposed tax debt.
- Demanding immediate payment. Scammers often demand that taxpayers pay their supposed tax debt immediately, often over the phone or using a prepaid debit card.
- Asking for personal information. Scammers may ask taxpayers for their Social Security number, credit card number, or other personal information.
Taxpayers should be aware of these common scammer tactics and should never give out their personal information or money to someone who calls claiming to be from the IRS.
If you receive a call from someone claiming to be from the IRS and you are unsure whether the call is legitimate, hang up and call the IRS directly at 1-800-829-1040.
You can also report the scam to the IRS by calling 1-800-366-4484 or by visiting the IRS website: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/report-phishing.
Protect your personal information
One of the best ways to protect yourself from IRS phone scams is to protect your personal information. Scammers often use personal information to steal your identity or to access your financial accounts.
Here are some tips for protecting your personal information:
- Never give out your Social Security number, credit card number, or other personal information to someone who calls you claiming to be from the IRS. The IRS will never ask for this information over the phone.
- Be careful about what information you post on social media. Do not post your Social Security number, credit card number, or other personal information on social media.
- Use strong passwords and change them regularly. Avoid using easily guessed passwords, such as your birthdate or your pet’s name.
- Be careful about opening emails or clicking on links from unknown senders. Scammers often send phishing emails that contain links to websites that are designed to steal your personal information.
By following these tips, you can help protect your personal information from scammers.
If you believe that your personal information has been compromised, you should contact the IRS immediately at 1-800-829-1040.
File your taxes on time
Filing your taxes on time is one of the best ways to protect yourself from IRS phone scams. Scammers often target taxpayers who have not filed their taxes or who have outstanding tax debts.
- If you have not filed your taxes, file them as soon as possible. You can file your taxes online, by mail, or through a tax preparer.
- If you have an outstanding tax debt, contact the IRS to make payment arrangements. You can make payment arrangements online, by mail, or by phone.
- By filing your taxes on time and paying any outstanding tax debts, you can make yourself a less attractive target for scammers.
- The IRS offers a variety of resources to help taxpayers file their taxes on time and pay their taxes. You can find these resources on the IRS website: https://www.irs.gov.
By following these tips, you can help protect yourself from IRS phone scams and other types of tax fraud.
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about IRS phone scams:
Question 1: How can I tell if a call from the IRS is legitimate?
The IRS will never call you to demand immediate payment over the phone. If you receive a call from someone claiming to be from the IRS and demanding payment, it is a scam.
Question 2: What should I do if I receive a scam call from the IRS?
If you receive a scam call from the IRS, hang up and call the IRS directly at 1-800-829-1040. You can also report the scam to the IRS online at https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/report-phishing.
Question 3: What information should I never give to someone who calls claiming to be from the IRS?
You should never give your Social Security number, credit card number, or other personal information to someone who calls claiming to be from the IRS. The IRS will never ask for this information over the phone.
Question 4: What are some common tactics used by IRS phone scammers?
Common tactics used by IRS phone scammers include impersonating IRS agents, threatening taxpayers with arrest or deportation, and demanding immediate payment.
Question 5: How can I protect myself from IRS phone scams?
You can protect yourself from IRS phone scams by being aware of the common tactics used by scammers, protecting your personal information, and filing your taxes on time.
Question 6: Where can I get more information about IRS phone scams?
You can get more information about IRS phone scams on the IRS website: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/tax-scams-consumer-alerts.
If you have any other questions about IRS phone scams, you can contact the IRS directly at 1-800-829-1040.
In addition to the information provided in this FAQ, you can also find helpful tips on how to protect yourself from IRS phone scams on the IRS website.
Tips
Here are some tips to help you protect yourself from IRS phone scams:
Tip 1: Never give out your personal information over the phone. The IRS will never call you to ask for your Social Security number, credit card number, or other personal information.
Tip 2: Be aware of the common tactics used by IRS phone scammers. Scammers often use threatening language, demand immediate payment, and impersonate IRS agents.
Tip 3: Hang up and call the IRS directly if you are unsure whether a call is legitimate. The IRS will never call you to demand immediate payment over the phone.
Tip 4: Report scam calls to the IRS. You can report scam calls to the IRS by calling 1-800-366-4484 or by visiting the IRS website: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/report-phishing.
By following these tips, you can help protect yourself from IRS phone scams and other types of tax fraud.
If you have any questions about IRS phone scams, you can contact the IRS directly at 1-800-829-1040.
Conclusion
IRS phone scams are a serious problem, but you can protect yourself by being aware of the common tactics used by scammers and by following the tips outlined in this article.
Remember, the IRS will never:
- Call you to demand immediate payment over the phone.
- Ask for your Social Security number, credit card number, or other personal information over the phone.
- Threaten you with arrest or deportation.
If you receive a call from someone claiming to be from the IRS and you are unsure whether the call is legitimate, hang up and call the IRS directly at 1-800-829-1040.
You can also report scam calls to the IRS by calling 1-800-366-4484 or by visiting the IRS website: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/report-phishing.
By following these tips, you can help protect yourself from IRS phone scams and other types of tax fraud.