Is the Tax Refund Scam real or a scam?

This is a confirmed scam. Do not click any links, do not provide personal information, and do not send money. This is a phishing scam that impersonates IRS.

What should I do if I received the Tax Refund Scam?

Do not respond or click any links. Block the sender, report the message as spam, and delete it. If it came via text message, forward it to 7726 (SPAM).

What if I already fell for the Tax Refund Scam?

Change your passwords immediately, contact your bank if you shared financial information, place a fraud alert on your credit, and file a report with the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

How do I report the Tax Refund Scam?

Report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at ic3.gov, and your local law enforcement. If it impersonated a specific company, report it to that company as well.

Tax Refund Scam: Is It a Scam?

Very High Prevalence Type: Phishing Impersonates: IRS

Yes, this is a scam. Do not click any links or provide personal information.

Scammers impersonate the IRS through emails, texts, and phone calls, claiming you are owed a tax refund or that you owe back taxes. These scams spike during tax season but occur year-round.

How This Scam Works

In the refund version, you receive an email or text claiming the IRS is issuing you a refund and you need to click a link and enter your personal information, including your Social Security number and bank details, to receive it. The phishing site collects everything needed for identity theft and tax fraud. In the owed taxes version, a caller claims you owe the IRS money and threatens arrest, license revocation, or deportation unless you pay immediately via gift cards, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency. The caller may spoof the IRS phone number and provide a fake badge number.

Red Flags to Watch For

The IRS does not initiate contact by email, text, or social media
Threats of arrest or license revocation for unpaid taxes
Demand for payment via gift cards, wire transfer, or crypto
Request for SSN or bank details via email to claim a refund
IRS will always mail a letter first for legitimate issues

Example Scam Messages

Email: 'IRS Tax Refund Notification: You are eligible for a tax refund of $3,247.00. To claim your refund, verify your identity and banking information: irs-refund-claim.com/verify' --- Text: 'IRS NOTICE: A refund of $1,820 is pending for your account. Confirm your details to receive direct deposit: irs-refund-status.info' --- Phone call: 'This is the IRS calling about an enforcement action on your tax record. You owe $6,200 in back taxes. If payment is not received today, a warrant will be issued for your arrest. Call 1-800-555-0137 immediately.'

What to Do If You Received This

The IRS always communicates by mail first, never by email or text
The IRS will never threaten arrest over the phone
Check your tax status at irs.gov/refunds
Do not click links in IRS-themed emails or texts
Hang up on callers claiming to be the IRS demanding immediate payment

What to Do If You Fell For It

If you shared your SSN, file an identity theft report at identitytheft.gov
Place a fraud alert and credit freeze at all three credit bureaus
File Form 14039 (Identity Theft Affidavit) with the IRS
Contact your bank if you shared financial information
File a police report

How to Report This Scam

Report IRS impersonation to TIGTA at treasury.gov/tigta
Forward IRS phishing emails to [email protected]
Report to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov
File a complaint with FBI IC3 at ic3.gov
Forward scam texts to 7726 (SPAM)

Last updated: February 10, 2026