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IRS and Social Security Impersonation Scams

How it works

Scammers call, text or email pretending to be the IRS or the Social Security Administration (SSA). They say you owe taxes, your Social Security number has been "suspended", or there's a warrant for your arrest, and they demand immediate payment or personal information. They can fake caller ID and send fake badges or letters.

Red flags

• Threats of arrest, deportation or losing benefits
• Demands for payment by gift card, wire, crypto, cash or payment app
• A claim that your Social Security number is "suspended"
• An unexpected call, text or social media message instead of a letter

The IRS usually contacts you first by mail, and it won't call demanding immediate payment with a gift card, prepaid debit card or wire transfer, or threaten to have police arrest you for not paying. SSA says it will never threaten you or demand payment by gift card, cryptocurrency, wire transfer or cash. Report IRS impersonation to TIGTA at tigta.gov and SSA impersonation to the SSA Office of the Inspector General at oig.ssa.gov.

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If you already paid

Act fast. The FTC's advice depends on how you paid:

• Credit or debit card: call the card company, report the fraudulent charge and ask them to reverse it.
• Bank transfer or wire: contact your bank or the wire company (such as Western Union or MoneyGram) right away and ask them to reverse the transfer.
• Payment app (Zelle, Cash App, Venmo): report it to the app and to your bank, and ask for a reversal.
• Gift card: contact the company that issued the card, tell them it was used in a scam, and keep the card and receipt.
• Cryptocurrency: crypto payments usually can't be reversed. Contact the exchange you used and report to IC3.gov.
• Cash by mail or courier: report it to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service or the delivery company and the FTC.
• You gave a password or code: change that password now, turn on two-step verification and check for changes you didn't make.
• You gave your Social Security number: visit IdentityTheft.gov and consider a free credit freeze with Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.

Watch for "recovery" scams. Anyone who contacts you offering to get your money back for a fee is likely another scammer.

How to report it

• FTC: ReportFraud.ftc.gov. If your personal information was misused, also go to IdentityTheft.gov for a recovery plan.
• FBI: IC3.gov (the Internet Crime Complaint Center), especially if you lost money online or in crypto.
• Your bank or card company: call the number on the back of your card or on your statement, not one from the message.
• Scam texts: forward them to 7726 (SPAM), then delete and block.

Sources: FTC consumer advice (consumer.ftc.gov) and FBI IC3 public service announcements. Last reviewed 2026-10-12.