Is the real IRS reaching out to you or is it a scammer? How SC taxpayers can tell the difference
Scammers often pretend to be the IRS to steal money and sensitive information from their victims.
Dealing with the real IRS can be bad enough. But scammers don’t care if it’s tax season or not. They’ll try to prey on anyone at any time to get what they want.
But there are ways to tell the difference between fake IRS identity thieves and the real deal.
Here are some helpful tips for taxpayers to know if they’re really dealing with the IRS or not.
Text, email and social media
The IRS will never make initial contact through email or social media. Below are some common scams thieves use:
- Sending phishing emails to taxpayers
- Posting as an IRS social media account to contact taxpayers about a fake bill or refund
- Texting taxpayer about fake “tax credits” or “stimulus payments”
These messages will usually direct taxpayers to click on fraudulent links they claim are IRS websites or other online tools.
The IRS will only send text messages with the taxpayer’s permission and only collects a taxpayer’s cell phone number or email address if they subscribe to receive messages from the agency.
Letters and notices
A notice or letter is the first way the IRS will contact a taxpayer. Below are a few ways taxpayers can check to see if it’s really the IRS:
- Log in to your secure IRS Online Account to see if the letter or notice is in your file
- Review common IRS letters and notices: Understanding Your IRS Notice or Letter
- Contact IRS customer service directly to authenticate it
- Verify any collection notice from a private collection agency has the same Taxpayer Authentication Number as the Notice CP40 the taxpayer received from the IRS
Phone calls
IRS agents may call to confirm appointments or discuss items for a scheduled audit, but only after an initial letter or notice. Taxpayers should know:
- The IRS never leaves pre-recorded, urgent or threatening messages. Scammers will falsely tell victims if they do not call back, a warrant will be issued for their arrest.
- Private collection agencies contracted by the IRS may call taxpayers to collect certain outstanding inactive tax liabilities, but only after the taxpayer and their representative have received written notice.
- The IRS and its authorized private collection agencies will never ask a taxpayer to pay using any form of pre-paid card, store or online gift card. Taxpayers can review the IRS payments page at IRS.gov/payments for all legitimate ways to make a payment.
In person visits
The IRS ended most unannounced visits to taxpayers by agency revenue officers to improve overall safety for taxpayers and IRS employees.
