IRS Scam Calls — How to Recognize Scams?

This is an educational and informational guide — it is NOT legal, tax, medical, or financial advice. Information may be outdated — always verify on the official website and with a licensed professional.

Introduction / Who is this for

In recent years, scams involving calls from the IRS have become common, and many people, including the Polish community in the USA, have fallen victim to them. This guide is for you if you have received a call from someone claiming to be an IRS employee demanding immediate payment. You will learn how to recognize scams and what to do in case of suspicious calls.

How does the IRS scam work?

IRS phone scams often involve the caller posing as an IRS employee and threatening legal consequences if you do not make an immediate payment. It is important to know that the IRS never contacts taxpayers by phone regarding debts. Instead, all notifications are sent by mail.

How to recognize a scam?

• Contact only by mail: The IRS always sends initial notifications by mail, never by phone.
• Payment requests: Scammers often demand payment in the form of gift cards or bank transfers. The IRS never asks for such forms of payment.
• Aggressive threats: If the caller threatens arrest or other legal consequences, it is definitely a scam.
• Lack of information: Scammers often do not have accurate information about your tax debts.

What to do if you receive a suspicious call?

If you receive a call that seems suspicious, here are the steps you should take:

1. Do not provide any personal information or financial data.
2. End the call and do not respond to further calls from the same person.
3. Contact the IRS directly to verify if you actually have any outstanding debts.
4. Report the scam to TIGTA (Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration) and the FTC (Federal Trade Commission).

Common mistakes

• Providing personal information to scammers.
• Reacting to threats instead of verifying information.
• Not reporting scams to the appropriate authorities.
• Confusing scammers with real IRS employees.

What’s next?

After reviewing this guide, here are a few steps you can take:

1. Remember to always verify the source of contact.
2. Share this knowledge with family and friends to help them avoid scams.
3. Regularly check your bank accounts and credit reports to ensure you have not fallen victim to a scam.

Sources

For more information, visit:

• IRS — Internal Revenue Service
• TIGTA — Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration
• CFPB — Consumer Financial Protection Bureau