Scammers love pretending to be the IRS because the name alone makes people nervous. They call, text, email, send fake letters, and message people on social media. The good news is that the real IRS follows predictable rules about how it contacts you and how it accepts payment. Once you know those rules, most fakes are easy to spot. And when you are unsure, there are simple ways to check without using any phone number or link the message gave you.
How the real IRS contacts you
By mail first. The IRS says, "We normally contact you the first time by mail delivered by the U.S. Postal Service." Most IRS issues start with a numbered notice or letter, such as a CP14 balance due notice or a CP2000.
By phone, sometimes. The IRS says it or a private collection agency may call you about account matters, usually after you've received letters. An auditor or collection officer may call to schedule a meeting.
By email or text, only if you opted in. The IRS says it emails only people who have opted in to receive emails, and account notifications come from an address ending in irs.gov. It texts only people who opted in, using specific short codes. In its January 2025 tax tip, the IRS said it "doesn't initiate contact with taxpayers by email, text messages or social media channels to request personal or financial information."
Never by social media message. The IRS says it never sends direct messages on social media.
In person, rarely. The IRS says unannounced visits are rare and it generally sends a letter first. Only four types of IRS employees may visit a home or business: revenue agents (audits), revenue officers (collections), special agents of IRS Criminal Investigation, and fuel inspectors at fuel sites. Revenue officers, revenue agents and fuel inspectors carry an IRS credential and an HSPD-12 card, and you can ask to see them.
What the IRS will never do
According to the IRS's 2025 tax tip on gift card scams, the IRS will never:
- Call demanding immediate payment using a specific method such as a gift card, prepaid debit card, or over social media
- Demand that you pay "or else"
- Threaten to bring in police or immigration officers to have you arrested for not paying
The IRS also says it never asks for or accepts gift cards as payment for a tax bill. Real IRS bills explain how to dispute the amount or appeal. Our notice pages, such as LT11, explain the steps the IRS must follow before seizing property.
Red flags in a call, text or email
The IRS says to be suspicious of a message that:
- Is unexpected, especially about a refund or a debt you've never heard of
- Rushes or threatens you, for example with arrest, deportation, license suspension or a lawsuit "today"
- Asks for personal or financial information, such as your SSN, bank login, IRS login or IP PIN
- Demands immediate payment
- Doesn't let you question or appeal the amount
- Contains odd or misspelled web links that lead somewhere other than IRS.gov
Common versions include texts about a "pending refund" with a link, calls claiming a warrant for your arrest, emails asking you to "verify" your account, and offers to help you set up your IRS Online Account. Letters offering to settle tax debt for "pennies on the dollar" usually come from private companies, not the IRS.
Private debt collectors are real, with limits
The IRS does assign some old, inactive tax debts to private collection agencies. As of 2026, the IRS lists three: CBE Group, Coast Professional and ConServe. Before an agency contacts you, the IRS says you should get two letters: an IRS CP40 saying your account was assigned, and a letter from the agency. Both include a taxpayer authentication number so you can check the caller. The IRS says these agencies will not threaten you. If you pay, the safest route is to pay the IRS directly through IRS.gov or by check payable to "United States Treasury."
How to check if a letter or call is real
- Don't use the contact details in the message. Don't call back a number from a voicemail or text, and don't click links.
- Look up the notice. Search the notice or letter number (usually in the top or bottom right corner) on the IRS "Understanding your IRS notice or letter" page. Our notices section covers the most common ones.
- Sign in to your IRS Online Account. If you owe, your balance shows there, and many notices are posted digitally. See IRS transcripts and Online Account.
- Call the IRS at a number from IRS.gov, such as 800-829-1040 for individuals. See how to contact the IRS.
- For a visitor, ask for their credentials. If unsure, call the number on the letter or card they gave you, or the IRS. If you feel unsafe, call 911.
- Pay only through official channels. Pay online at IRS.gov, or by check or money order payable to "United States Treasury."
How to report IRS impersonation scams
According to the IRS:
| What you got | Where to report |
|---|---|
| Fake IRS email | Forward it, as an attachment if possible, to [email protected] with the subject "IRS." Then delete it. |
| Scam text | Email [email protected] with the subject "Text," including the sender's number, the message, your number, and the date and time. Forward the text to 7726 (SPAM). |
| Phone call claiming to be the IRS | Write down the number, hang up, and report to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) at 800-366-4484 or tigta.gov. |
| Social media account posing as the IRS | Report it to the platform and send the account's full URL to [email protected] with the subject "Social media." |
| Fake letter | Report to the U.S. Postal Service and the FTC; you can also contact your state attorney general. |
| "Tax debt relief" robocalls | Report to the FCC and the FTC. |
You can also report any of these to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Don't reply to a scam message or open its attachments.
If you already paid or shared information
The IRS recommends you:
- Stop all contact with the scammer and don't send more money.
- Call your bank or card company right away. If you paid with a gift card, contact the card's issuer too.
- Follow the recovery steps at IdentityTheft.gov if you shared your SSN or other personal details.
- Get an Identity Protection PIN to stop anyone from filing a return in your name. See tax identity theft.
- Set up your IRS Online Account, which is protected with multifactor authentication.
- Report the scam using the table above.
- Be wary of "recovery" offers. The IRS warns that scam victims are often targeted again by people promising to get their money back.
Frequently asked questions
Does the IRS ever call people?
Yes, but usually only after sending letters. The IRS says it or a private collection agency may call about account matters. A real IRS caller won't demand immediate payment by gift card or threaten arrest. If unsure, hang up and call a number from IRS.gov.
Will the IRS text me about my refund?
Only if you opted in to IRS texts. The IRS doesn't start contact by text to ask for personal or financial information. A text with a link to "claim your refund" is almost certainly a scam. Forward it to 7726 and report it to [email protected].
How can I tell if an IRS letter is real?
Look up the notice number on IRS.gov, check your IRS Online Account for a matching balance or notice, and call the IRS at a number listed on IRS.gov rather than one in the letter if you have doubts. Real letters come by U.S. mail and explain your options and rights.
Can the IRS have me arrested for not paying?
The IRS says it will never threaten to bring in police or immigration officers to arrest you for not paying. Unpaid taxes lead to letters, penalties, interest and possibly liens or levies, with notice and appeal rights first.
What is the IRS's real phone number?
For individuals, 800-829-1040. Our guide to contacting the IRS lists other lines and hours. Always get numbers from IRS.gov or your official notice, not from a caller.
Someone offered to fix my IRS debt for pennies on the dollar. Is that legit?
Be careful. The IRS's own programs, like the offer in compromise and payment plans, are available to you directly. Companies that promise big settlements can charge large fees for things you could do yourself or with free help from a Low Income Taxpayer Clinic or the Taxpayer Advocate Service.
Sources
- Internal Revenue Service (IRS), "How to know it's really the IRS calling or knocking on your door". irs.gov
- IRS, "Report fake IRS, Treasury or tax-related emails and messages". irs.gov
- IRS, Tax Tip 2025-06, "How taxpayers can protect themselves from gift card scams". irs.gov
- IRS, "Private debt collection". irs.gov
- IRS, "If you were scammed". irs.gov
- IRS, "Recognize tax scams and fraud". irs.gov
IRSV.com is an independent guide and is not affiliated with the IRS. This page is general information, not tax or legal advice. Rules change; confirm details on IRS.gov or with a tax professional. Found an error? Tell us.
