IRS / Tax Scams

You owe taxes and must pay immediately

Fraudulent messages claiming you owe back taxes or are eligible for a refund. They create urgency by threatening legal action, deportation, or driver's license suspension.

What to Watch For

IRS never contacts you first via email about tax issues
Link leads to a domain that is not irs.gov
Requires payment via gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency
Spelling and grammar errors in official-looking government communication

Examples

""FINAL NOTICE: Your Social Security number will be suspended unless you verify your identity at secure-irs.gov/verify. Failure to respond within 48 hours.""

Why it works: Uses official-sounding language ("FINAL NOTICE"), fake urgency ("48 hours"), and a domain that looks almost real but isn't the actual IRS website.

What to Do

The IRS will never threaten you by email. If concerned, visit irs.gov directly or call their official number. Report any suspicious emails to phishing@irs.gov.