K-State Research and Extension Johnson County

Don’t Pay the IRS Scam Tax

scamThousands of people have lost millions of dollars and their personal information to tax scams.

Scams take many shapes and forms, such as phone calls, letters, phishing emails, fake text messages, or in-person imposters. Scammers pressure victims into giving up money or personal information. This might be through fear, intimidation, and bullying tactics. Newer scams appear to have a positive financial benefit.

You can learn about the worst tax scams and schemes with the IRS Dirty Dozen Dirty Dozen | Internal Revenue Service.

Know the Warning Signs

  • They contact you. The IRS doesn’t initiate contact with taxpayers by email, text messages, or social media channels to request personal or financial information. The IRS initiates most contacts through regular mail delivered by the United States Postal Service.
  • You receive threats of any kind. IRS agents will never threaten you with fines or criminal prosecution if you don’t comply with their instructions.
  • You are asked to pay using gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. Tax payments should be made using secure methods, including bank transfers and checks.
  • You are asked to provide sensitive personal or financial information. The IRS should already know your name, SSN, phone number, etc. If someone can’t provide basic information about you, it’s a scam.
  • They give you a form not listed on the IRS website. If there are any modifications, or if you can’t find the form online, it’s a scam.
  • They don’t know what an HSPD-12 card is, or they can’t provide their government-issued badge number. If an IRS agent visits you in person, they’re required to show an official Federal identity card. Make sure you take down any badge or employee numbers for your records.

Report it!

  1. Report impersonation scams to the Treasury General for Tax Administration at 1-800-366-4484 or report online at Hotline | U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration OIG .
  2. Report phone and bad business practices to the Federal Trade Commission using the FCE Complaint Assistant ReportFraud.ftc.gov - Assistant . Add “IRS Telephone Scam” in the notes.
  3. Report an unsolicited email claiming to be from the IRS or an IRS-related system like the Electronic-Federal Tax Payment System to the IRS by forwarding the message to phishing@irs.gov.

If you want to protect yourself this season and throughout the year, you need to remain calm and vigilant when engaging with anyone claiming to be from the IRS.