Got a text about money from the IRS? The IRS and its partners are warning consumers about a new scam where fraudsters impersonate the IRS and demand your personal information or money. They may call, text, email or use social media to trick you into revealing sensitive information, paying fake tax bills or engaging in other fraudulent activities. They often threaten to arrest you or your family members, deport you or revoke your driver’s license, business license or other government-issued documents. Scammers can also spoof your caller ID to appear as an official agency. They may ask you to make a payment by gift card, prepaid debit or wire transfer.
How do I know if my refund is issued?
Real IRS correspondence is always sent by the U.S. Postal Service and will include the IRS logo. The letter should clearly explain the reason for contacting you and include your rights as a taxpayer. The letter may also contain a notice number on the top or bottom right corner of the page and a specific tax year. If you receive a suspicious letter, contact the agency the letter says it’s from to verify its authenticity.
The IRS never contacts people by email, phone or social media to request sensitive information or money. If you get an unsolicited message, immediately report it to the IRS. To learn more about the ways the IRS reaches out to taxpayers, visit How the IRS Communicates With You.
