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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.

It is your choice whether to submit a comment. If you do, you must create a user name, or we will not post your comment. The Federal Trade Commission Act authorizes this information collection for purposes of managing online comments. Comments and user names are part of the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) public records system, and user names also are part of the FTC’s computer user records system. We may routinely use these records as described in the FTC’s Privacy Act system notices. For more information on how the FTC handles information that we collect, please read our privacy policy.

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.

  • We won’t post off-topic comments, repeated identical comments, or comments that include sales pitches or promotions.
  • We won’t post comments that include vulgar messages, personal attacks by name, or offensive terms that target specific people or groups.
  • We won’t post threats, defamatory statements, or suggestions or encouragement of illegal activity.
  • 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.

HARDY
September 24, 2018
I got call from +1 (347) 274 8194 saying you have multiple IRS issues. and some serious allegations. Please call us on 1 (347) 274 8194 before IRS taking legal action and put you in custody. Please ignore this this is PHONE SCAM i reported to Police already..
ddc456
September 25, 2018
Add (360) 569-1385 to the list of phone numbers to block and avoid. They played the same message as in this article's video.
BlaBlaBla
September 25, 2018
Same thing happen to me indian women with thick accent 234 -230-1830
Joelho.
September 25, 2018
Yup, Got a call yesterday, Officer Steve parker,legal petition notice regarding tax fraud against me. Call him back , mailbox full ,no answer, Here the number 410) 742 0828
Bear84
September 26, 2018
My nephew just received today 9/26/2018 a call from +1 509 320 4003 with a threatening robo call that the IRS would be suing him for taxes owed. I told him not to call it back and not to answer it again put it in the block list in his phone
FedupinGA
September 28, 2018
I keep getting these calls threatening me and saying there is a warrant out for me. The caller keeps changing the particulars as to who issues the warrant, but it's the same bunch of idiots trying to run their scam.
Maid Marion
October 02, 2018
I got a call on my cell phone from 206 855 3377 saying I was going to be arrested as there was a warrant for my arrest if I didn't pay the money I owed. Hung up on them.
2krushal
October 02, 2018
Just received a call from a 214 509 6480 saying the same message listed above.
bulldog
October 03, 2018
I just received a call from Officer Steve Parker stating they received a legal petition notice, if I don't call I may get arrested. He called from 510-680-1093. The supposed Officer Steve Parker just doesn't have a clue apparently.
*sigh*
October 11, 2018
Just got a robo message from Alice Williams from the IRS’s crime division- message does not mention my name nor my address but apparently my person and property are being monitored, warrant out for my arrest, blah, blah, blah. I live in Texas, the number is from Fremont CA. Really staticky connection. 510-578-6903.
Michael Regan
October 18, 2018
Just got this scam call from: 224-512-4624
solamente
October 18, 2018
Received a call from 202-657-4510 stating there was a law suit against me and they were sending the police and I owe the IRS new it was a scam and I transferred them to the IRS number 1800 829 1040
Fraud Buster
October 22, 2018
Scam Alert - Received a phone call on my mobile from 510-578-6910 and the guy stated he was from the Internal Revenue Service. Hang up and alert others about this scammer.
Imtiaz
October 22, 2018
another IRS scammer number # 469-342-3534
jrfvsg0331
October 23, 2018
IRS call from some lady 51206, supervisor Steven Wilson IRM 56210 in Washington DC even though number is San Francisco number. 415-592-3948
jrfvsg0331
October 23, 2018
IRS call from some lady 51206, supervisor Steven Wilson IRM 56210 in Washington DC even though number is San Francisco number. 415-592-3948
mchicago
October 24, 2018
Just got an automated call stating the IRS has a lawsuit against me and a warrant for my arrest??? 512-566-5061
AnnoyedWscammers
October 25, 2018
Got this yesterday... “From the IRS the nature and the purpose of this call is to inform you that we have received legal petition notice concerning a tax fraud _⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_ so before this matter goes to the Federal claims court house or before you get arrested please call at mediately on our department number 510-578-3998 make sure you call us as soon as _⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_ is Officer Steve Parker from the internal revenue service…”
KP
October 25, 2018
Received call to call officer Steve Parker from Internal Revenue Service before they arrest me. 410-656-6272.
hereisanewnumber
October 29, 2018
I got a call today from this number: 786 540 0671. Knowing these scams, I didn't even think twice about it but googled it to find a place to post the number so others can learn about it too.
TheyRLies
October 30, 2018
I just got a voicemail from a phone number coming from Texas which I'd live in the Pacific Northwest so I already knew that was false and it was a Indian man with a heavy thick accent and when I called back first it was busy for the first three times and I knew it was a scam so I was already ready to answer because I've had this happen and an Indian man answered and he didn't know who I was and wouldn't the IRS have your number there this really was true anyways I said I'm not going to tell you my number you called me and he said yes I'm just warning you now it was only a warning that the federal government was sending me I said the federal government he goes I mean the IRS and again that thick Indian accent I said sir this is a scam and I will be reporting you and as soon as I said that I was hung up on please do not give information to anybody calling you even your bank will never call you on the phone like this so why would the IRS they will send it in the mail and when I said that to this Indian man he said well we did send it to you and I said what address and he asked me to verify it and I said no let me hear what you have so I can verify it and he didn't like that I knew all those questions so when people start calling you and they say they're from the IRS tell them that you're reporting this to the IRS on their website because they have a link for you to report these calls because it doesn't help the IRS for all of us not to trust to talk to them or to talk to any of their Associates so when a man with a heavy thick Indian accent calls in a call center and it's loud in the background just go with your gut and your intuition and say to yourself I know that the IRS would never operate like this thank you
ArmedInSC
November 05, 2018
I got the same calls from 760 810 4184, told them to stop calling and get to arresting.
Cathy M
November 07, 2018
On Nov 6, 2018 I received a pre-recorded message on my cell from someone who identified themselves as Alice Williams from the Tax Crimes Investigation Unit of the IRS stating they were calling with this pre-recorded message to notify me that the IRS has issued an arrest warrant against me and right now both myself and my physical property are being monitored and it's very important I call this Alice Williams back asap before they proceed further in any legal matter. Said their direct call back number was 610-973-5068, which is the same number that came up on my cell's caller ID. Obviously, I did not call back as I am aware the IRS won't initiate a call out nor threaten legal action.
just had it!
November 08, 2018
Another number to add to list (914)297-4157 . they call and tell you are part of an investigation with the IRS and need to call them immediately.
rabon
November 28, 2018
Got a call from ‭+1 (425) 660-9782‬ stating that I have waited to long to respond back and they are sending the police to pick me up for tax invasion and I will spend the rest of my life in jail.
Scodub57
November 29, 2018
Just received a call from Kattskill, NY at ‭+1 (518) 656-4460‬. No VM left, so I called back. A human male answered the call from what sounded like a busy room and addressed himself as “Internal Revenue Service”. I promptly hung up as I strongly suspect a scam.
HappyforHarry89
December 05, 2018
I had calls from someone telling me he needed to check my computer. He called 52 times in one day. Think IRS has more class than that.
N/a
December 07, 2018
Recieved 2 calls from # 425 599-7234 today.. They claimed to be from the IRS and that they have filed charges against me.. Scammers
Alex A
December 08, 2018
I received a call from this number 3474740173, NY area, saying that I have a law suit on my SSN and, that I need it to call back immidiately before they start the process.
jonathan
December 13, 2018
They changed the language a bit. Just reported this: ... Possible as IRS has filed a lawsuit against your name. The local county sheriffs are going to arrest for serious allegations. Before this matter goes to the courthouse, and we freeze your bank accounts and get you arrested, for more information regarding this case, you can get this to us at 917 310 3763, I repeat 917 310 3763. Make sure you give us a callback before you get arrested.
7506
December 19, 2018
I received about 15 calls 5 minutes apart from 202 550 8016 and 5 calls 5 minutes apart from 202 686 7348 I put a quick response to leave a message which was never done
Mariette
December 20, 2018
Dec 20th 2018 Just got a call a few minutes ago from 209-886-3574 telling me that my SS # was cacelled due to some fraud and that needed to call this number back. Sorry I will not!
Knuclehead
January 10, 2019
How about making it a felony to alter your caller ID to mask the phone numbers these scammers call from.
Manohman
January 15, 2019
Do anyone know if this is a IRS number cause I just got a call saying I have a lawsuit against me.
Knuclehead
January 17, 2019
How about making it a felony to alter your caller ID to mask the phone numbers these scammers call from.
Unconcernedbut…
January 23, 2019
202-886-3957 01/23/19 " .. would be considered an intentional attempt to avoid initial appearance before the magistrate judge or exempt jury for a federal criminal offense which is against your name. Your case ID is ... for more information on your case, you can contact the tax and crime unit at (this number), we would be glad to share your case information and help you with this situation. Thank you." Voicemail left for me.
ivrylvr4u
January 25, 2019
Got this yesterday... “From the IRS the nature and the purpose of this call is to inform you that we have received legal petition notice concerning a tax fraud _⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_ so before this matter goes to the Federal claims court house or before you get arrested please call at mediately on our department number 510-856-1807 make sure you call us as soon as _⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_ is Officer Steve Parker from the internal revenue service
ivrylvr4u
January 25, 2019
Got this yesterday... “From the IRS the nature and the purpose of this call is to inform you that we have received legal petition notice concerning a tax fraud _⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_ so before this matter goes to the Federal claims court house or before you get arrested please call at mediately on our department number 510-856-1807 make sure you call us as soon as _⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_⁠_ is Officer Steve Parker from the internal revenue service
calisunshine
January 26, 2019
Hi I also just got a threatening call claiming it was the IRS and that they had filed a case against me and there was an warrant for my rest for Tax Fraud for the last 4 years. The guy with a heavy accent even gave me a Case ID and his name. Pretty scary call and if I didn't know better I can see how people fall for these crooks. the numbers were 425-434-9318 and 360-842-4002, city on my ID was Cle Elum, WA and Bremerton, WA.
Irs scam calls
January 29, 2019
‭+1 (315) 636-6519‬ . It is about the same issue in the video.
Kurt S
January 29, 2019
I just received this exact voice mail from phone 346-347-7003.
NB Florida
January 31, 2019
got a call from 206-984-0504 Called me saying they were IRS and were going to arrest me this is not the IRS.
Mad man
February 13, 2019
‭+1 (601) 348-1156‬ , says there from the IRS, and I’m gonna get arrested for 4 violations against me. SCAMMERS!!!
Nottodayscammer
February 20, 2019
Received a call from 747-212-9442 posing as IRS telling me there was a warrant for my arrest for fradulent taxes.
Oooh nooo, the…
February 26, 2019
I just got one with a 509 area code also. Weird how so many of them come from WA state. Could it be that the overseas crooks spoof Washington state calls because the CIDs will show WA on our end & the foreign crooks don't know that WA state is across the country from WA DC where the IRS HQ is located? Pretty funny, if true. Whichever phone company comes up with a way to detect & defeat spoofed numbers should win the Nobel prize is all I can say. They are a real pain.
Sean G
February 28, 2019
Just got one from 518 366 5061 sounded like a Robot and said I had a warrant for failure to pay the IRS for over 6 months. I called back. Very busy background noise, very poor English. Wanted my full name and Social Security number. I laughed and hung up.
CaryE
March 06, 2019
I got a recorded message from ‭(202) 657-5310‬ claiming to be a representative of the US Treasury Dept notifying me that I had a warrant issued for my arrest for tax fraud. I called the phone number back and quickly deduced that the representative was scamming me although he was convincing. Why can’t my government stop this or at least chase these scumbags down once they have phone numbers? I sincerely want to know. Are they using burner phones to do this or what is the another angel they are using to do this to us if applicable?
Mike
March 11, 2019
Just got a call from the 202 area code, in fact I get a few a week. If the contact name is unavailable then so am I!
KarrieEstep
March 14, 2019
Received a call from 800-772-1417 saying my social security number is going to be suspended due to suspicious activity. It tells me to press 1 and they will connect me with someone to help clear up the issue. I can't believe there isn't a way to get this stopped!
Sleepy female …
March 18, 2019
A female voice, that seemed she had been sleeping said: "Hello, Thank you for calling us back. All our customer representatives are busy now, ...". Thank you for alerting this was an IRS scam!!!