How to spot refund scams

How the IRS really contacts you

The IRS contacts taxpayers mostly by letter, sent through the mail. It doesn't initiate contact by email, text message or social media to ask for personal or financial information.

Warning signs

• A text or email saying your refund is "on hold" and asking you to click a link.
• Requests for your Social Security number, bank details or passwords to "verify" your identity.
• Demands for immediate payment with gift cards, prepaid cards, wire transfers or cryptocurrency.
• Threats of arrest, deportation or losing your license if you don't pay right away.
• The website they send you to doesn't end in .gov.

What to do if you get one

• Don't click links or open attachments.
• Don't reply or share any information.
• Forward suspicious emails to phishing@irs.gov. If it's a text message, take a screenshot and send it to phishing@irs.gov with the date, time and the number that texted you.
• To check your refund or account, go to IRS.gov yourself by typing the address — never from a link in a message.

If you already shared your information

If you think someone used your information to file a return in your name, visit the IRS identity theft section and the official IdentityTheft.gov site, which walk you through it step by step.