Phishing Scams: Don’t Get Fooled—The IRS Doesn’t Contact You This Way!
In today’s digital world, scammers are getting more sophisticated, and phishing scams are becoming increasingly common. One of the most important things to know is how the IRS contacts taxpayers—and how they don’t. This can help you avoid falling victim to a phishing scam.
How the IRS Contacts You
Contrary to popular belief, the IRS does not contact taxpayers via email, text, telephone, or social media. In almost all cases, the IRS will initiate contact with you through official post mail sent via the United States Postal Service. That’s right—99% of the time, your first communication from the IRS will come in the form of a letter or notice in your mailbox, not your inbox.
When an IRS Agent May Visit
On rare occasions, an IRS agent may visit your home or business in person. This usually happens in cases of:
-Audits
-Collection of evidence
-Reviewing assets for an investigation
But here’s the key: If an IRS agent is coming to visit you, you will already know about it. You’ll have had prior communications with the IRS, likely through mail and possibly by phone, so this won’t come as a surprise. The IRS won’t just show up unannounced for the first time at your door.
What to Watch For
Scammers often pretend to be the IRS and use phone calls, emails, and even social media messages to trick taxpayers into giving up sensitive personal information. If you receive a suspicious email, text, or phone call claiming to be from the IRS, it’s almost certainly a phishing scam.
What to Do if You Think You've Been Targeted
If you believe you’ve been a victim of an IRS phishing scam, you can report it anonymously. Here’s how:
-Call the IRS phishing hotline at (800) 366-4484
-Visit the U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration’s website at TIGTA’s IRS Impersonation ScamReporting.
-Don’t let scammers trick you into handing over your personal or financial information. Remember: the IRS will never ask for your information via email, text, or social media. Stay vigilant, and when in doubt, report any suspicious activity immediately.
