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IRS Scams: How to Spot Fraud and Know It’s Not the IRS

Tax scams are a year-round threat, not just during tax season. At Moss & Yantis CPA in Mt. Pleasant, SC, we want clients to be aware of the most common IRS scams and how to distinguish real IRS...

Tax scams are a year-round threat, not just during tax season. At Moss & Yantis CPA in Mt. Pleasant, SC, we want clients to be aware of the most common IRS scams and how to distinguish real IRS contact from fraud. Knowing the red flags can protect your identity and your finances.

 

Common IRS Scams to Watch For

  • Phishing Emails and Fake Websites: Scammers send emails or create websites that look like official IRS correspondence, asking you to provide or confirm personal and financial details. The IRS will not initiate contact this way123.

  • Phone Call Threats: Fraudsters call claiming to be IRS agents, demanding immediate payment and threatening arrest or legal action. These calls may sound urgent or aggressive and sometimes use prerecorded messages. The IRS will not call you first or threaten you over the phone3451.

  • Text and Social Media Messaging: Messages about refunds or account issues sent by text or social media are always scams. The IRS does not initiate contact this way13.

  • Gift Card, Cryptocurrency, or Unusual Payment Requests: The IRS will never demand that you pay taxes or penalties with gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. Any such request is a scam126.

  • Fake Refund or Overpayment Notices: Scammers may promise bigger refunds, notify you of a refund recalculation, or say you’ve overpaid and need to provide banking information to receive funds26.

  • Impersonation of Charities or Credits: Fraudsters may pose as charities or promote credits and refunds you are not actually eligible for. Always research before donating or providing information67.

  • Fake Account Help: Offers to help you create or access your IRS online account, especially from third parties, are often attempts to steal your identity7.

How to Tell It’s NOT the IRS

Red Flag Why It’s a Scam
Initial contact by phone, email, text, or social media The IRS always starts with a mailed letter143
Demands for immediate payment by unusual methods IRS never requires payment by gift card, wire, or crypto16
Threats of arrest, deportation, or license revocation The IRS does not threaten or use law enforcement for collection413
Asking for sensitive info via electronic methods IRS does not ask for Social Security or bank info via phone or email435
Prerecorded or urgent voicemails The IRS does not leave prerecorded, urgent messages135
Emails/links with awkward grammar, misspellings, or odd sender addresses Official IRS messages come from “irs.gov” and are not unsolicited82
 
 

Ways the IRS Really Contacts You

  • The IRS mails an official letter or notice first for any issue.

  • Only after mailing a letter may the IRS call to confirm details about scheduled appointments (for audits or collections).

  • Any collections by private agencies are always preceded by mailed IRS notices.

  • The IRS will never ask for payment using a method outside approved channels (such as through irs.gov/payments)13.

What To Do If You Suspect a Scam

  • Do not respond, click on links, or provide any personal information. Hang up or delete the message if contact seems suspicious.

  • Verify any IRS letter or notice by logging into your IRS Online Account or contacting the IRS directly.

  • Report phishing emails by forwarding them to phishing@irs.gov.

  • If you receive a suspicious call, you can report it to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA).

  • Always check directly with your CPA if you’re unsure whether communication is legitimate.

Stay Informed and Protected

The IRS regularly updates its list of current scams (“Dirty Dozen”) and tips for avoiding identity theft. Staying vigilant against these threats and knowing how the IRS will — and will not — communicate can keep you safe 91011.

 

If you ever have doubts about an IRS contact, don’t hesitate to reach out to Moss & Yantis CPA for help. Your financial security is our top priority.