With Tax Season upon us, law enforcement agencies all over the country are getting an increase in questions about IRS Phishing Scams. These scams are aimed at getting people to reveal personal information through an unsolicited email or website. The IRS does not initiate contact by email, text messages, or social media. If you receive IRS communication through these channels, please do not give out personal information.
Phone scams are another large threat to taxpayers. These aggressive and threatening phone calls are made by criminals who impersonate IRS agents in order to get personal information or demand money. Many of these impersonators threaten arrest, license revocation, and deportation if they are not paid immediately. Know that the IRS does not call to demand immediate payment, especially without sending you a bill first or without giving you a chance to question or appeal the charges. The IRS does not require specific payment, such as a prepaid debit card. They do not bring local law enforcement into getting payment from you.
If you receive any communication from an IRS representative that seems suspicious, please visit the webpages listed below. The IRS has provided multiple guidelines for fraudulent contacts.
IRS Fraudulent Contact Information