SCAM LIBRARY · IMPERSONATION

The tax-agency threat

A scammer pretending to be from the tax agency contacts you with threats about owing money or facing arrest, demanding immediate payment.

Documented by the FTC & FBI IC3 · reviewed 2026-07-06

How it works

You receive a call, email, or text claiming there's a problem with your taxes or that you owe a debt. The message creates urgency and fear by threatening legal action, arrest, or seizure of assets if you don't pay right away. The scammer may demand payment through wire transfer, gift cards, or cryptocurrency to avoid being traceable.

Red flags

• The caller threatens arrest, legal action, or wage seizure if you don't pay immediately.
• They demand payment by wire transfer, gift card, or cryptocurrency—methods that cannot be reversed.
• They tell you not to hang up, not to contact anyone, or not to discuss this with a lawyer.
• A real tax agency would send official mail first and never demand immediate payment without allowing you time to respond.

What to do

• Hang up immediately. Do not provide any personal, Social Security, or financial information.
• Contact your local tax agency directly using the phone number or website from their official materials—not the number the caller provided.
• Report the contact to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov.