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    IRS Scam Playbook

    "This is the IRS. You owe back taxes..." — it's a scam.

    The IRS NEVER does these

    • Calls demanding immediate payment.
    • Threatens arrest, deportation, or license revocation.
    • Demands payment in gift cards, wire transfer, crypto, or cash courier.
    • Calls or emails before sending a paper letter first.
    • Asks for credit card numbers over phone.
    • Requires a specific payment method.

    How the REAL IRS contacts you

    1. Mail first, always. Letter on official IRS letterhead.
    2. Multiple letters before any phone call.
    3. Phone calls only AFTER mail attempts have failed.
    4. Payment by check to "U.S. Treasury" or via IRS.gov direct pay.
    5. Audits scheduled IN WRITING with weeks of notice.

    Common scam variants

    • "Robocall — press 1 to speak to IRS agent" — hang up.
    • "You owe $4,800 — pay in Apple gift cards" — hang up.
    • Fake email "irs.gov-tax-refund.com" — delete, don't click.
    • "Sheriff is on the way to arrest you" — fake. Hang up.
    • Text message claiming refund — IRS doesn't text. Delete.
    • Caller ID shows "IRS" — caller ID is easily faked. Means nothing.

    If you actually owe taxes

    • You'll get LETTERS, not phone calls.
    • Call IRS yourself at 1-800-829-1040 to confirm.
    • Pay only at IRS.gov/payments.
    • Real penalties have payment plans (call IRS to set one up).
    • If unsure about a letter, take it to a CPA or AARP Tax-Aide (free for seniors).

    Defense in 3 words

    "I'll call back."

    Hang up. Look up the IRS phone number yourself (1-800-829-1040). Call them. Real IRS workers will be able to look up your tax records and explain. Scammers vanish.

    Report the scam

    Forward scam emails to phishing@irs.gov. Forward scam texts to 7726 (SPAM). Report scam calls at tigta.gov (Treasury Inspector General). FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov. Takes 5 minutes. Helps catch scammers.