IRS Impersonation Scams — DO NOT pay over phone or with gift cards
Common IRS scam: caller claims to be IRS, threatens arrest/deportation, demands immediate payment in gift cards or bitcoin. IRS NEVER does this. Always verify at irs.gov.
IRS Impersonation Scams — DO NOT pay over phone or with gift cards
How to spot IRS impersonation
The IRS will NEVER:
- Call you first (always letter first)
- Demand payment in gift cards, prepaid cards, bitcoin, or wire transfer
- Threaten to arrest you or deport you over phone
- Demand payment without giving you opportunity to dispute
- Use threatening or hostile tone
- Be aggressive about urgency
Common scam tactics
- “We’re the IRS — you owe taxes immediately” — fake call from spoofed IRS number
- “You’ll be arrested in 24 hours” — uses fear to bypass thinking
- “Buy iTunes gift cards and read me the codes” — IRS NEVER asks for this
- “We’ve sent law enforcement to your address” — fake threat
- “Pay by bitcoin/Bitcoin/cryptocurrency” — IRS does NOT accept crypto
- Email/text claiming refund — IRS doesn’t email or text first; verify at IRS.gov
What to do
- HANG UP immediately
- Do NOT call back — even if they leave a callback number
- Verify at irs.gov/account — your real account shows owed taxes
- Report to TIGTA: Treasury Inspector General or 1-800-366-4484
- Report to FTC: reportfraud.ftc.gov
Legitimate IRS contact
IRS first sends a LETTER by mail (form CP## or Letter ####). Verify the letter is real:
- Verify case number at IRS Account
- Call the OFFICIAL IRS number from irs.gov (not the one on letter if suspicious)
If you owe taxes legitimately:
- Pay at irs.gov/payments
- Set up payment plan (Form 9465)
- Consult VITA (free tax help)
General consumer protection resources
- FTC Consumer Complaint: reportfraud.ftc.gov
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB): consumerfinance.gov/complaint
- State Attorney General (varies by state)
- Better Business Bureau: bbb.org
Related information
Last verified: 2026-05-25.
General prevention information — not legal advice. If victimized, consult attorney for options.
Related procedural information
- Consulate of your country in the US — passport renewal, consular ID, document apostille
- ITIN — file federal taxes without SSN — required regardless of immigration status
- USCIS form library — federal immigration forms (I-130, I-485, N-400, etc.)
- Find an immigration attorney — pro bono lists + AILA + BIA-recognized
- Know Your Rights — ICE encounters — constitutional protections
Frequently asked questions
If I was victimized, can I recover the money?
How can I verify an attorney/consultant is legitimate?
I'm reporting — will I get deported?
How much does talking to a real immigration attorney cost?
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General information, not legal advice. MigrantUSA is an independent publisher and is not a law firm; using this site does not create an attorney-client relationship, and this content is not a substitute for advice from a licensed attorney about your specific situation. US federal, state, and local government procedures, fees, and forms change. Always verify current details directly with the relevant agency before acting. For immigration, tax, or other legal matters specific to your situation, consult a licensed attorney or BIA-accredited representative.