How to recognize IRS impersonation scams

“Your tax records show missing information that could delay your refund. This issue needs to be resolved immediately. Click the link below to verify your identity and avoid penalties.”

If you’ve ever received a call, text, or message like this, it was almost certainly a scammer on the other end of the line.

This time of year, when taxpayers are filing returns and waiting on refunds, fraudsters see an opportunity. In some cases, they’re trying to scare people into handing over personal information like a Social Security number. In others, they’re attempting to file a fraudulent tax return using stolen data—hoping to claim a refund before the legitimate taxpayer does.

How common are these scams? The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Internet Crime Complaint Center received thousands of government impersonation fraud reports in 2024, leading to more than $405 million in losses.

Our own data shows that tax-related fraud cases spike every year during filing season, with April consistently among the highest-risk months. Many people don’t discover there’s a problem until their legitimate return is rejected—meaning fraud often isn’t uncovered until it’s already happened.

With the tax filing deadline for most Americans falling on April 15, it’s especially important to stay alert during this time of year.

How to identify and avoid IRS impersonation scams

First things first: know that any call or text from someone claiming to be from the IRS is a scam. “The IRS or Social Security office does not typically call people, unless you have requested a call from them—and usually not even then,” says Patricia Krentz, Restoration Specialist at Allstate Identity Protection. “If there is a problem with your tax return, the IRS will send you a letter.”

Problem is, these phone scams can be quite convincing. Fraudsters often spoof a phone number, meaning that “IRS,” “Internal Revenue Service,” or another government agency may actually show up on your caller ID. IRS impersonators may also reach out in the following ways:

• Text message: Scam texts can contain a clickable link, making them particularly dangerous. The link may lead to a malicious site that infects your device with malware or spyware. These bogus texts may also include a phony phone number that instructs you to call "the IRS" regarding an issue with your tax return. In reality, calling the number will lead you straight to a scammer.

• Email: Phishing emails can also harbor links to malicious sites or attachments. In one email scam, an IRS impersonator sends the victim a fake “tax transcript” or “tax receipt,” prompting them to keep the files for their records but it's actually a piece of malware designed to spread through your network. Emails can be particularly convincing because scammers often fabricate official-looking email addresses and signatures.

• Door-to-door: One of the more traditional scamming tactics, a fraudster may pretend to be a revenue agent knocking on your door to collect overdue taxes. If a taxpayer has an overdue tax bill or an unfiled (or delinquent) tax return, there is a chance that a revenue officer with the IRS would follow up in person. However, that would only happen after multiple letters—also known as “notices”—have been sent by mail. Legitimate revenue officers carry two forms of identification: IRS-issued credentials (also called a pocket commission) and an HSPD-12 card (click here to view a visual), so be sure to ask for identification should an agent come to your door.

• Snail mail: When the IRS needs to communicate with taxpayers, they send a letter via USPS. But scammers can use snail mail, too. So how do you distinguish between a real letter and a fake? ”You can typically find a sample letter from that agency on the IRS website,” explains Krentz. “Compare the sample letter to the one you received to verify its authenticity before taking any action; the sample letter should be identical to the one you received with the exception of your information that has been added.”

• Social media: In recent years, IRS scams have expanded to social media platforms. Fraudsters may impersonate IRS employees and message victims directly, often claiming they’ve tried reaching them through other channels without success.

Red flags of an IRS impersonation scam

No matter the method of contact, these are the red flags of IRS imposter scams:

• Unsolicited outreach by phone, email, or social media: Remember that the IRS typically initiates contact with taxpayers by snail mail. “Assume any other outreach is a scam and do not engage,” says Krentz.

• Urgency and threats: In one common ploy, imposters bait a victim with a tax debt scam call, in which they pretend to be an IRS employee calling to collect delinquent taxes. They may use scare tactics like threatening jail time or deportation if the fee isn’t paid immediately. Avoid being persuaded by scare tactics like these.

• Demands for risky forms of payment: Scammers typically require fees to be paid by wire, prepaid gift card, prepaid debit card, or through a peer-to-peer payment app like Venmo or Zelle. Know that the IRS will never ask for payment in this way.

What to do if you’ve been scammed by an IRS impersonator

Government impersonation scams remain one of the leading causes of fraud every year. If you believe your information has been misused—or your tax return has been affected—it’s important to act fast.

If you’re an Allstate Identity Protection member, our customer care team is available 24/7 to help guide you through the next steps and support you through the recovery process.

If you spot a tax-related scam and haven’t engaged, consider reporting it to help protect others.

• Forward scam emails or text messages claiming to be from the IRS to phishing@irs.gov. If possible, include the date, time, and time zone you received the message, along with your phone number (for texts).

• If you receive a suspicious phone call claiming to be from the IRS, report it to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration by calling 800-366-4484.