IRS Tax Tip 2025-06, Jan. 17, 2025
Taxpayers should be aware of gift card scams and take steps to protect themselves. Scammers may target taxpayers by asking them to pay a fake tax bill with gift cards. People should remember that the IRS never asks for or accepts gift cards as payment for a tax bill.
The IRS doesn't initiate contact with taxpayers by email, text messages or social media channels to request personal or financial information. To verify it¡¯s the IRS, go to IRS.gov and verify the form or visit the Let us help you page to verify tax information with self-service options.
Common schemes
Scammers are always changing their tactics. Recently, the IRS has seen scammers:
- Request gift cards over the phone through a government impersonation scam or by sending a text message, email or social media message.
- Pose as an IRS agent and call the taxpayer or leave a pre-recorded voicemail stating they are linked to some criminal activity.
- Threaten or harass the taxpayer by telling them that they must pay a fictitious tax penalty.
- Instruct the taxpayer to buy gift cards from various stores.
- Pressure the taxpayer to buy gift cards, then ask the taxpayer to provide the gift card number and PIN.
Who¡¯s calling
Here's how taxpayers can tell it's really the IRS calling. The IRS will never:
- Call for immediate payment using a specific payment method such as a gift card, prepaid debit card or over social media.
- Demand a taxpayer pay ¡°or else.¡±
- Threaten to bring in law enforcement or immigration officers to have the taxpayer arrested for not paying.
- Take a taxpayers citizenship status, driver¡¯s license or business license.
Identity theft actions
Any taxpayer who suspects they¡¯ve been the victim of a scammer should:
- Visit Identity Theft Central page of IRS.gov for next steps.
- Contact the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration to report a phone scam and use their webpage or call 800-366-4484.
- Report phone scams to the Federal Trade Commission with the on FTC.gov and add "IRS phone scam" in the notes.