Email, text, and social media

The IRS doesn’t make initial contact through email or social media channels. Some common electronic scams thieves use are:

• Sending phishing emails to taxpayers
• Posing as an IRS social media account to contact taxpayers about a fake bill or refund
• Texting taxpayers about fake “tax credits” or “stimulus payments”

These messages often direct taxpayers to click fraudulent links they claim are IRS websites or other online tools.

The IRS only sends text messages with the taxpayer’s permission and collects the taxpayer’s cell phone number or email address if the taxpayer subscribes to receive messages from the agency.

Letters and notices

A letter or notice is the first way the IRS will contact a taxpayer. There are a few ways a taxpayer can check to see if it’s the IRS: 

• Log in to their secure IRS Online Account to see if the letter or notice is in your file
• Review common IRS letters and notices: Understanding Your IRS Notice or Letter
• Contact IRS customer service directly to authenticate it
• Verify that any collection notice from a private collection agency has the same Taxpayer Authentication Number as the Notice CP40 the taxpayer received from the IRS.

Phone calls

IRS agents may call to confirm an appointment or discuss items for a scheduled audit, after an initial letter or notice. Taxpayers should know:

• The IRS doesn’t leave pre-recorded, urgent or threatening messages. Scammers will falsely tell victims that a warrant will be issued for their arrest if they do not call back.
• Private collection agencies contracted by the IRS may call taxpayers to collect certain outstanding inactive tax liabilities only after the taxpayer and their representative have received written notice.
• The IRS and its authorized private collection agencies will never ask taxpayers to pay using any pre-paid card, store or online gift card.

Taxpayers can review the IRS payments page at IRS.gov/payments for all legitimate payment methods.