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Here at the FTC, we think about scams all day long. What are the scammers’ new angles? How can we keep ahead of them? We hear from people about the scams they see, and we turn that into tips people use to spot and avoid scams.

But scammers find FTC staff, just as they find the rest of America. My colleagues and I have even gotten calls on our work phones, offering reduced credit card interest rates, or claiming to be tech support calling about problems with our computers. We also get the calls at home. In fact, someone claiming to work for the IRS called my house just last week:

This has all the signs of an IRS imposter scam. In fact, the IRS won’t call out of the blue to ask for payment, won’t demand a specific form of payment, and won’t leave a message threatening to sue you if you don’t pay right away. Have you gotten a bogus IRS call like this? If you did, report the call to the FTC and to TIGTA – include the phone number it came from, along with any details you have.

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Unwanted Calls, Emails, and Texts
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IRS Impersonators

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The purpose of this blog and its comments section is to inform readers about Federal Trade Commission activity, and share information to help them avoid, report, and recover from fraud, scams, and bad business practices. Your thoughts, ideas, and concerns are welcome, and we encourage comments. But keep in mind, this is a moderated blog. We review all comments before they are posted, and we won’t post comments that don’t comply with our commenting policy. We expect commenters to treat each other and the blog writers with respect.

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  • We won’t post comments that include personal information, like Social Security numbers, account numbers, home addresses, and email addresses. To file a detailed report about a scam, go to ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

We don't edit comments to remove objectionable content, so please ensure that your comment contains none of the above. The comments posted on this blog become part of the public domain. To protect your privacy and the privacy of other people, please do not include personal information. Opinions in comments that appear in this blog belong to the individuals who expressed them. They do not belong to or represent views of the Federal Trade Commission.

kethompson116
February 28, 2018
We just received a call from 660-207-1461. Claiming to be the IRS and that we were being sued and investigated for tax fraud. The call was a robo call.
marktwain
February 28, 2018

Same. Did not ask for anyone by name. Said I was being investigated for my fraudulent and unethical behavior. I was warned not to hide from this( yes-their robot words ) or I will be found. It was a voicemail so I listened again, said no way and googled it and found this site. I am so tempted to phone back just to mess with them! Ridiculous. Will report to appropriate government officials. Really?

Charity4life07
February 28, 2018
There is a new one, same recording in a mans voice 305-998-2675
GISANPE1
February 28, 2018
Good old Paul Wilson called me today. In fact since he kept calling I called back so I ended talking to four Paul Wilson's, of whom three had a very thick foreign accent. They got so tired of me calling back and playing along to their vulgar answers that I achieved the ultimate goal...they blocked both my personal and work phones. YES! I also filed a report on the official IRS TIGTA website :) Oh good old pal Paul Wilson...
Kwilliams
March 01, 2018
Got a call today from 202.996.9522 stating that a warrant will be submitted due to tax fraud.
Robert
March 01, 2018
i just received a similar call from 755 410 4122
What the Who?
March 05, 2018
I just got a very similar call, female recorded voice, saying the IRS was filing a lawsuit on my behalf. Hmmmmm. Number given to call was 315-288-3917. Based on all the comments here, I'm not going to bother. Thanks all.
dontscamme
March 06, 2018
I just received a voicemail that IRS is filing legal action against me from 850-493-1430. That's Panhandle in FL. What a joke. The scammers are out there!
schinzo | 03/07/18
March 07, 2018
This scam just won't go away. I'm in Kernersville, NC. I've gotten calls from Benton City, WA, claiming to be IRS getting ready to file lawsuit against me. The Saturday call was from 509-588-7293, telling me to return call to same no. for details. 2nd call was from same Benton City no. (@ 8:30 AM EST), with same message left as a VMS. The IRS calling on a Saturday? The IRS calling @ 5:30 AM from Washington State? I don't think so on either count.
scammers?
March 08, 2018
Real IRS number or not? 240-237-1034. Automated message left on my voicemail saying I had not yet done my taxes and fraudulently filed. Doesn't make sense, accuse me of fraudulently filing....if I hadn't filed yet? Called back, someone answered IRS in Indian accent. Hung up.
not a victim
March 08, 2018
202-856-7311 just called with scam saying claiming final call for IRS lawsuit - don't fall victim people
Gracy
March 12, 2018
Just got a call saying it was the RIS office and was being sued for unpaid taxes I knew it was a scan and just hung up the phone
Me in Corona
March 12, 2018
I Have received several calls from 202-715-1663 claiming to be the IRS and Threatening to sue me if I don't call them back right away. I knew that this was a scam, but it is still unsettling to get a call like that.
Arizona Jane
April 07, 2018

In reply to by Me in Corona

I'm receiving phone calls about once a week from this number threatening to have me.arrested and blacklist my social.security number.
jhon
March 13, 2018
i got a digital voice call from a number in CA saying federal charges have been brought against me and call them to speak to a federal agent to resolve the problem. is this a scam or legit?
Putt
March 13, 2018
Haven't seen a recent comment but I just got a call very similar to recording above. Computer generated voice. Didn't catch all of it. From Seal Beach, CA (562) 374-7003 asking me to call back to that number (I think).
Ffree
March 13, 2018
I received a call today from 321-240-1629, claiming to be the IRS, saying I am in big trouble over 4 tax returns, and must respond within 24 hours or the local Police will be called-in to arrest me in the morning.
Private
March 16, 2018
I received a phone call wasn't able to answer because I was at work, but it left a message saying that I was going to receive and have to sign a letter and and if I wasn't at home to sign for it that they would go to my job... The phone number is 866-897- 6905, when I try to call it said it was in something associate and to leave a message and someone would call back. I was even giving a reference number
DeaconP2006
March 30, 2018

In reply to by Private

I received the exact call on March 29, 2018 and I received another call on March 30 to be home all day on April 2, 2018, to sign some document.
NC Dodge Man
March 16, 2018
I got a call yesterday from a Des Moines Iowa number and they left a Voice Mail saying they were the IRS and if I did not contact them they were suing me and issuing a warrant for my arrest if I did not contact them to clear this up. I called the number feeling it was a scam and a man with a thick Indian accent answered claiming to be at the IRS. I told him I was with the FBI and we were investigating him as we knew he was a scammer and were raiding him in an hour. He of course hung up right away. Ha ha ha.. joke played on him. I did not or would never give out any personal information like my name, birth date or SS number. I have dealt with the IRS and they have always sent a letter. If I speak with them I call their number with my question they do not call me. The Scammers are out there for sure.
rshores
March 19, 2018
Just (3/19/2018) received a call from Officer David Watson, claiming to inform me of a warrant issued for me through the IRS, wanted to know if the local police had been in touch? I asked for his credentials and his organization location within the IRS, because(as i told him) I was looking him up on the internet to verify that he was who he said he was.... he hung up the phone. Came from an area code of 207, Washington state.
MagnusBane77
March 20, 2018
I received a call from irs and the number that called me from is 202-851-5646 I want this stopped and I am getting tired of this triads of calls
Ncl_1928
March 28, 2018
2022410209 left distorted VM stating I was under investigation for tax fraud or evasion. Threatens if I dont call back within 24 hours I will be arrested.
Pb
April 02, 2018
Okay I just got this phone number they called me three times it's from Louisiana number is 337-516-0387 they claim to be from the IRS they need to collect these numbers so this way they can search them down.
Keykey36
April 02, 2018
I’m getting texts msg from some name miller Lester claiming to work for department of treasury saying I won $15000.00 an I have to pay $400 to get the money have cash an the rest in the bank account told me if I don’t pay the FBI getting involved this is the number texting me ‭+1 (740) 206-8817‬ the director name is jacorb Lew
tag
April 03, 2018
Just received a similar call from a woman with a thick accent identifying herself as officer liva Smith haha badge number 24547 Phone number from NY 315 888 0328...I reported it to tigta.gov
SM
April 05, 2018
On 3/15/2018, an automated scam caller left a voicemail message on my cellphone stating that "The IRS is filing a lawsuit against you and to call 347-305-8123 about the claim." I did not call them back. The phone # is from New York City.
jp
April 06, 2018
march 6 2018, got a phone called from this number pretending to be the IRS and asking to call them back. I called back, and answering service answered "Please leave a voice mail."
FRH
April 09, 2018
Got a call following that exact pattern. 206 201 2206 was the source.
angry j
April 09, 2018
these guys tried to scam me for 6000 today. thank god i didn't give them a dime. isn't there legal body to report them to and shut down this crap. what if this happens to a family member that doesn't know any better.
alxgon
April 10, 2018
just got a call from 215-882-8943 same thing I committed tax fraud and they are suing me for it I told them to go for it, Just one question is the IRS outsourced to INDIA?
concerned person #66
April 13, 2018
I just received a call from 909-666-4712 claiming they were the IRS and coming to arrest me- scam - heavily accented person answered when I called back the number
concerned person #66
April 13, 2018
just received a VM - stating they were the IRS and I was going to be arrested - Number was 909-666-4712. I called back the number - heavily accented person answered on the 1st ring "IRS". SCAM!
DoILookStoopid
April 13, 2018
1-646-434-5256 New York is another one of those bogus numbers. Got to hand it to these jerks. Wish there was a way to shut them down
Whatthewaaa
April 13, 2018
Just got a call from (909) 666-4712‬ informing me that if I don’t respond within 24 hours the “local cops“ will come to arrest me for four outstanding charges.
Whatthewaaa
April 13, 2018
This is the actual message: “24 working hours and once again expired after that you will be taken under custody by the local cops as there are four serious allegations pressed on your name at this moment we would request you to get back to us so that we can discuss about this case before taking any legal action against you the number to reach us is 909-666-4712 I repeat 909-666-4712 thank you…”
"Mr. Rip"
April 17, 2018
Got two phone calls today (recorded) & then a V/M. Stated called on behalf of the I.R.S. headquarters. Arrest warrant being issued for my arrest & "cops" will pick me up in 24 hours. Call 207-558-4557 to help you with this matter.....Forst off I know the I.R.S. never-ever calls you, they'll send you a letter & secondly a professional would never call the police "cops". Total scammer at this number
Sam
April 19, 2018
I received calls 4/18 & 19/2018. Johnathan Knight claiming I was hiding something from the IRS that needed to be reckified. Said I was under criminal investigation. 1-202-996-6680. I called back no one answered. This shows up as a spam # and name has been used I other IRS spams.
Cyn
April 19, 2018
Just received a call from a number I didn't recognize. Went to VM stating "under investigation" "will be arrested" and so on. Called the number back and informed them I had reported (917) 994-7027 to the IRS. They hung up on me.
Angela
April 23, 2018
I got another call from an automated message saying that the IRS legal team has a legal claim against me. Left message from 510-982-1009 mentioning IRS Co 1038?
Canada
April 25, 2018
Got a call in Canada from (266) number which is ontairio, they left a threatening warrant message on my phone.
Tiffany
April 25, 2018
I just got a call today from officer david watson 2069623985 saying that i have a warrant out for tax évasion and if i paid 3,450 he would help me out without getting me locked up so the police wont come get me why do people do mean things like this we just need to pray...
Lifesituation
April 30, 2018
Today I got three calls on my personal cell number saying I missed my taxes due date and they were going to call the police. Im 13...
cpringling
June 18, 2018
It has happened to me several times. Usually I hang up but lately I have been trolling them military style until they get too pissed and hang up. Sometimes I waste their time too. Don't get mad, make them get mad for calling you.
robert
May 07, 2018
received a phony call impersonating IRS from 646-396-8332 trying to claim I owed back taxes that must be payed in the next 24 hours or a arrest by police would result . call seems to have come from NY.as best as I can tell.
dolphinpal
May 11, 2018
how do i get a hold of IRS for scammers on facebook for a lottery thing
KathyB
May 15, 2018
All of these calls come from an unscrupulous outfit called PEERLESS NETWORK that is a haven for scammers. The FTC needs to run an investigation on their practice of running thousands of stolen credit card numbers to activate VOIP accounts. They willfully and purposely ignore suspicious activity all in the name of profits. They need to be sued, prosecuted, and shut down.
Stupid Scammers
May 17, 2018
I received an automated recorded call from ph# 480-696-1592, stating that there was a warrant for my arrest as a result of some irs fraud. They told me to call that number back to resolve. I know it is a scam and haven't even bothered to call them back. Wanted to post the # here, just in case they try to get someone else.
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