Online Threat Alerts (OTA) - Alerting you to scams and frauds.

IRS Impersonation Vishing Voicemail Scam and Arrest
IRS Impersonation Vishing Voicemail Scam and Arrest

If you receive a voicemail from someone claiming to be from the IRS, stating that you have an overdue tax bill, and that you will be arrested if you don’t provide payment via gift cards. what type of scam is this?

This is an IRS impersonation scam, which is a highly aggressive form of vishing (voice phishing) and social engineering.

The IRS will never call or leave a voicemail threatening immediate arrest, lawsuit, or law enforcement action, nor will they ever demand payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency.

Key Red Flags of This Scam

  • Immediate Arrest Threats: Scammers use fear to prevent you from thinking clearly.
  • Gift Card Payment: Real government agencies do not accept retail gift cards.
  • Unsolicited Contact: The IRS sends official letters in the mail first.

How to Protect Yourself

  • Hang up immediately: Do not call back the number left in the voicemail.
  • Check your official status: Log into your secure account on IRS.gov to view your actual tax balance.
  • Report the scam: File a report with the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA).

Comment sectionComments / Answers (1)

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by info

Vishing scam. The IRS will never demand payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency.

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