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Scam Alert · February 5, 2026 · Source: FTC

IRS impersonation calls during tax season

These calls peak from February through April every year. The 'agent' may have a real-sounding badge number, sound aggressive, and threaten you with arrest, deportation, or license suspension. The IRS does not work this way. They contact you by mail first, and they never demand payment by gift cards.

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Older adult reviewing a suspicious package delivery message
What it may look like

Fake IRS collection call

"This is Officer Davidson from the Internal Revenue Service, badge number 4582. Our records show you owe $4,300 in back taxes from 2023. There's a warrant out for your arrest. Stay on the line — if you hang up, officers will be dispatched to your address. You can resolve this today by purchasing iTunes gift cards and reading me the numbers."

What not to do

  • Do not pay 'taxes' with gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. The real IRS never asks for these.
  • Do not give your Social Security number or bank account to anyone who calls you.
  • Do not stay on the line because they tell you to.

Safer next step

  • Hang up. If you're unsure whether you owe taxes, call the IRS directly at 1-800-829-1040 — that number is on irs.gov.
  • The real IRS sends letters in the mail first, never threatens arrest by phone, and never demands specific payment methods.
  • Report IRS impersonation calls to TIGTA (Treasury Inspector General) at 1-800-366-4484.

Family discussion prompt

Remind each other before tax season: 'The IRS never calls demanding gift cards. If we get a scary call about taxes, we hang up and call the IRS directly using the number on irs.gov.'

Source: FTC Consumer Alerts. KeepUp Academy summarizes and republishes plain-language guidance for older adults; we are not affiliated with the FTC.

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