The IRS warns people to protect their personal and financial information during tax season. At this time of year, the IRS sees an increase in fraudulent activity targeting tax returns and refunds. People are at risk of becoming subject to identity theft while filing taxes.
IRS does not contact people by text message so a text from the IRS is a fraudulent attempt to get personal information. Text messages impersonating the IRS sometimes link to a fake IRS website that scammers used to collect information. An individual who receives a text message purporting to be from the IRS should take a screenshot of the message and send it in an email to phishing@irs.gov with the date/time the message was received and the phone number that received the message.
Fraudulent emails impersonating the IRS have also been reported. The IRS does not start contact with individuals by email to request personal or financial information. Most IRS contact is initiated through the U.S. postal mail. An unsolicited email from the IRS should be reported to phishing@IRS.gov.
The IRS does not leave phone messages with pre-recorded scripts or urgent/threatening messages. IRS agents do not demand payment by phone or ask for credit or debit information over the phone. Such calls should be ignored or reported to law enforcement.
The IRS suggests victims of identity theft take the following steps:
- Taxpayers should complete IRS Form 14039, Identity Theft Affidavit, if an e-file tax return rejects because of a duplicate filing under their SSN or they are instructed to do so by the IRS. Individuals can use a fillable form at IRS.gov, then print and attach the form to their paper return and mail according to instructions.
- Victims of tax-related identity theft should continue to pay their taxes and file their tax return, even if they must do so by paper.
- Taxpayers who previously contacted the IRS about tax-related identity theft and did not have a resolution should call for specialized assistance at 1-800-908-4490.
More information is available at: IRS.gov/identitytheft.
