How to Spot IRS Impersonation Threats

IRS impersonation threat scams are aggressive tactics used by fraudsters to intimidate and exploit unsuspecting taxpayers, making it crucial to learn how to spot IRS impersonation threats. These scams typically involve threatening calls, emails, or text messages from criminals posing as Internal Revenue Service officials, using fear and urgency to coerce victims into compliance.

Common variations of these threat-based scams include:

1. Tax Debt Threat: Scammers claim you owe back taxes and threaten immediate arrest, deportation, or license revocation if you don’t pay immediately.
2. Audit Intimidation: Fraudsters threaten a severe audit that will result in financial ruin unless you provide immediate payment or sensitive information.
3. Legal Action Threat: Imposters claim a lawsuit has been filed against you for tax evasion and demand immediate payment to avoid court proceedings.
4. Property Seizure Warning: Scammers threaten to seize your property or freeze your assets if you don’t pay alleged tax debts instantly.
5. Employment Threat: Criminals claim they’ll contact your employer about your tax issues, threatening your job security if you don’t comply with their demands.

Red Flags to Watch For:

1. Unsolicited aggressive contact from the “IRS” via phone, email, or text
2. Threats of immediate arrest, deportation, or other severe legal action
3. Demands for immediate payment, especially through specific methods like gift cards or wire transfers
4. Use of intimidation tactics or threats to force quick action
5. Caller ID showing the IRS’s real phone number (which can be spoofed)
6. Threats to involve local police or law enforcement for non-payment

Being aware of these signs can help you spot IRS impersonation threats and protect yourself from falling victim to these scams.

Remember, the real IRS will never:

• Make aggressive phone calls threatening arrest or deportation
• Demand immediate payment without allowing you to appeal the amount
• Require a specific payment method, such as a prepaid debit card or gift cards
• Threaten to bring in local police or immigration officers for non-payment

If you suspect a scam, hang up immediately and contact the IRS directly using their official number to verify any claims and spot IRS impersonation threats. Report any suspicious activity to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) at 1-800-366-4484 or visit www.tigta.gov.