IRS Scams: Threatening Calls About Tax Debt

IRS impersonation remains one of the most successful government fraud schemes, generating hundreds of millions in losses annually. Scammers call claiming victims owe back taxes requiring immediate payment to avoid arrest, deportation, or license suspension.

The fraud succeeds through intimidation and artificial urgency. Callers display spoofed IRS phone numbers, use badge numbers, and sometimes know partial information about victims from previous data breaches. They demand payment via wire transfer, gift cards, or cryptocurrency—methods the actual IRS never requests. Some operations involve multiple callbacks from fake "supervisors" or "law enforcement" to increase pressure.

Critical facts: The IRS initiates contact via U.S. Mail, never threatening phone calls. They don't demand immediate payment without allowing you to question or appeal amounts owed. IRS agents never threaten arrest or require specific payment methods. Hang up on threatening calls and contact the Treasury Inspector General at 800-366-4484 to report impersonation attempts.