IRS & Tax Scams: How to Tell a Fake From the Real IRS

In an IRS or tax scam, someone posing as the IRS threatens arrest, lawsuits, or fines over “unpaid taxes” to scare you into paying immediately.

How the IRS / tax scam works

The real IRS contacts you by mail first, never demands instant payment by phone, and never threatens to send police. Scammers do the opposite, often demanding gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency.

Red flags to watch for

• A phone call or text threatening arrest over unpaid taxes
• Demands for immediate payment by gift card, wire, or crypto
• Threats to send police to your home
• Refusal to let you verify by contacting the IRS yourself

What it looks like

“This is the IRS. There's a warrant for your arrest for unpaid taxes. Pay now to cancel it.”

What to do

1. Hang up — the real IRS contacts you by mail first and never threatens arrest by phone.
2. Never pay a tax bill with gift cards, wire, or cryptocurrency.
3. If you're unsure, call the IRS yourself at 1-800-829-1040.
4. Report it to the FTC at 1-877-382-4357.

Other common scams