Beware of scams!

We get calls every week from people who are concerned about scammers. It is very important to be extra cautious with your identity and banking information. The IRS will not inform you of a lawsuit via a phone call. They will not email you. They will not text you. They will not contact you on social media. If you ever have a communication from someone claiming to be the IRS, ask for their name, badge number, and call back number. Then you can call the IRS at 1-800-366-4484 and confirm their information. Included below is handy list for what to do if you suspect a scam. If you have questions, please call us first! We can help you determine if a request is legitimate or not.

If	Then
You receive an email claiming to be from the IRS that contains a request for personal information, taxes associated with a large investment, inheritance or lottery.	Don't reply. Don't open any attachments. They can contain malicious code that may infect your computer or mobile phone. Don't click on any links. Visit our identity protection page if you clicked on links in a suspicious email or website and entered confidential information. Forward the email as-is to us at phishing@irs.gov. Don't forward scanned images because this removes valuable information. Delete the original email.
You receive a phone call from someone claiming to be from the IRS but you suspect they are not an IRS employee ...	Record the employee's name, badge number, call back number and caller ID if available. Call 1-800-366-4484 to determine if the caller is an IRS employee with a legitimate need to contact you. If the person calling you is an IRS employee, call them back. If not, report the incident to TIGTA and to us at phishing@irs.gov (Subject: 'IRS Phone Scam')
You receive a letter, notice or form via paper mail or fax from an individual claiming to be the IRS but you suspect they are not an IRS employee …	Go to the IRS home page and search on the letter, notice, or form number. Fraudsters often modify legitimate IRS letters. You can also find information at Understanding Your Notice or Letter or by searching Forms and Pubs. If it is legitimate, you'll find instructions on how to respond or complete the form. If you don't find information on our website or the instructions are different from what you were told to do in the letter, notice or form, call 1-800-829-1040 to determine if it’s legitimate. If it's not legitimate, report the incident to TIGTA and to us at phishing@irs.gov.
You receive an unsolicited fax, such as Form W8-BEN claiming to be from the IRS, requesting personal information …	Please send us the email or scanned fax via email to phishing@irs.gov (Subject: 'FAX'). Visit the FATCA home page and Form W8-BEN for more information.
You receive an unsolicited telephone call or email, involving a stock or share purchase, that involves suspicious IRS or Department of Treasury documents such as "advance fees" or "penalties" ...	... and you are a U.S. citizen located in the United States or its territories or a U.S. citizen living abroad. Complete the appropriate complaint form with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward email to phishing@irs.gov (Subject: 'Stock'). If you are a victim of monetary or identity theft, you may submit a complaint through the FTC Complaint Assistant.   ... and you are not a U.S. citizen and reside outside the United States. Complete the appropriate complaint form with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Contact your securities regulator and file a complaint. Forward email to phishing@irs.gov (Subject: 'Stock'). If you are a victim of monetary or identity theft, you may report your complaint to econsumer.gov.
You discover a website on the Internet that claims to be the IRS but you suspect it is bogus …	... send the URL of the suspicious site to phishing@irs.gov (Subject: 'Suspicious Website').
You receive an unsolicited text message or Short Message Service (SMS) message claiming to be from the IRS …	Don't reply. Don't open any attachments. They can contain malicious code that may infect your computer or mobile phone. Don't click on any links. If you clicked on links in a suspicious SMS and entered confidential information, visit our identity protection page. Forward the text as-is, to us at 202-552-1226. Note: Standard text messaging rates apply. If possible, in a separate text, forward the originating number to us at 202-552-1226 Delete the original text.