Your phone rings, and caller ID shows what looks like an official government number. The voice claims to be from the IRS, demanding immediate payment for back taxes you supposedly owe. They threaten arrest, deportation, or license revocation if you don’t pay right now with a gift card or wire transfer.

Here’s what you need to know: This is a scam. The real IRS doesn’t operate this way, and you have more power than these criminals want you to believe.

How These Scammers Target You

IRS impostor scams top the agency’s annual “Dirty Dozen” list of tax scams, and they’re frighteningly successful. Between 2013 and 2017, over 10,000 victims lost more than $54 million to these phone criminals, according to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration.

These aren’t random amateurs – they’re sophisticated operators who manipulate caller ID technology to make their calls appear legitimate. They often know basic information about you, like your name and address, which they’ve purchased from data brokers or gathered from public records.

Bold warning signs that scream “scam”:

• Demanding payment through gift cards, prepaid debit cards, or wire transfers

• Threatening immediate arrest, deportation, or license suspension

• Refusing to let you question the amount owed or speak to a supervisor

• Claiming you’ll be sued or have your Social Security number suspended

• Pressuring you to stay on the line while you go buy gift cards

The Truth About Real IRS Contact

The IRS’s first contact with you will always be a letter in the mail. It’s not a phone call, email, or text message. This is their standard procedure for routine tax matters, and they won’t deviate from it to demand immediate payment.

When the IRS legitimately needs to contact you, you’ll receive an official letter with specific details about your case, including reference numbers and clear instructions. They’ll never demand immediate payment over the phone or insist you pay with gift cards – that’s not how government agencies collect money.

The IRS ended unannounced visits to taxpayers’ homes in 2024. If an agent needs to meet with you, you’ll receive advance written notice to schedule the appointment.

Your Action Plan When Scammers Call

Stay calm and remember you have options. If someone claiming to be from the IRS contacts you:

Immediate Steps

Hang up immediately. Don’t engage, don’t provide any information, and don’t call back numbers they give you. These criminals are trained to sound official and create urgency, but you’re not required to respond to unsolicited calls.

Verify Any Real Issues

If you think you might actually owe taxes, call the IRS directly at 1-800-829-1040. Real IRS staff can tell you about any legitimate account problems and help you resolve them properly, without threats or pressure tactics.

You can also check your account status online through the official IRS website to see any outstanding balances or notices.

Fighting Back and Protecting Others

Report these scams to help protect your community. Contact the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) at 1-800-366-4484 or report IRS impostor scams to the Federal Trade Commission. Forward suspicious emails claiming to be from the IRS to phishing@irs.gov.

Consider installing call-blocking apps on your smartphone to filter out known scam numbers. Many free options are available that can significantly reduce unwanted calls.

Talk to people you care about – especially older adults who are frequently targeted. Sharing information about these scams creates a protective network in your community.

Remember: You Have Rights and Time

Legitimate tax issues have proper resolution processes. If you do owe taxes, the IRS offers payment plans, hardship programs, and other options to help you resolve situations without panic or pressure.

Real government agencies want to work with you, not frighten you into hasty decisions. You have time to verify, ask questions, and make informed choices. When criminals try to rush you with threats and fear tactics, that urgency itself is proof you’re dealing with a scam.

The simple rule that protects you: the government writes before they call. Trust that process, and you’ll never fall victim to these predators.