Back Taxes Scam Calls - How to Protect Yourself

Any call claiming you owe back taxes and threatening immediate arrest, driver's license suspension, or deportation is a scam. The real IRS or authorized tax agencies will never make unexpected phone calls, demand payment via prepaid debit cards or wire transfers, or threaten you with jail time over the phone.

How the Scam Works

Aggressive Tactics: Scammers exploit fear by threatening immediate jail time, deportation, or driver's license revocation.
Caller ID Spoofing: They rig technology so their calls appear legitimate, sometimes displaying "Internal Revenue Service" or actual government phone numbers on your screen.
Personal Data: Fraudsters may already have partial information about you, such as the last four digits of your Social Security number, to make the call sound real.

How to Protect Yourself

Hang Up Immediately: Do not engage with the caller, and never provide or confirm any personal, banking, or credit card information.
Do Not Call Back: Returning their call flags your phone number as active, inviting more spam.
Verify Your Status: If you genuinely believe you might owe taxes, contact the tax authority directly using an official phone number (such as calling the IRS at 1-800-829-1040) rather than a number provided by the caller.
Use Official Portals: You can log into your account directly on the Official IRS Website to check your balance due securely.