From real reports
Common opening lines you'll hear
“You owe back taxes and there is a warrant out for your arrest.”
“To resolve this case today, you must pay using gift cards.”
“Your Social Security number has been suspended due to suspicious activity.”
Take action
What to do if you've been targeted
- 1
Hang up. The IRS will only contact you about real tax debt by mail first.
- 2
If unsure, call the IRS directly at 1-800-829-1040.
- 3
Report impersonation to TIGTA at tigta.gov or 1-800-366-4484.
Common questions
FAQ
How does CallerScoop classify a number as irs / tax scam?
We aggregate signals from FTC Do Not Call complaints, FCC consumer complaint data, and verified user reports. When multiple independent reporters describe a number with consistent script details, our scoring engine elevates the risk score and tags the dominant category.
Why does the caller ID show a number I trust?
Caller ID is trivial to spoof. Scammers can display any number — including a real bank or government line — to make the call look authentic. Treat caller ID as unverified, especially when the call demands urgent action.
How do I report a number I received?
Use our report form — it takes 30 seconds and helps protect others. For larger losses, also file with the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov and (if you lost more than $500) with the FBI IC3 at ic3.gov.
Got a irs / tax scam call?
Adding a report — even a short one — helps the next person recognize this scam in real time.