Reminder: Watch Out for IRS Impersonation Scams

August 01, 2025•1 min read

Reminder: Watch Out for IRS Impersonation Scams

IRS officials recently issued new warnings about ongoing IRS impersonation scams designed to steal people’s money, identities or both. The first thing to know about these scams is that the IRS almost always initiates contact with a person by sending a letter through the mail on official letterhead. If you receive an IRS letter and have created an IRS online account, you can log in to your account to check whether the letter is authentic. Otherwise, if you have doubts about a letter you receive, call the IRS at 800-829-1040 for more information.

The IRS does not initiate contact through email or social media messages, and only sends text messages with the recipient’s permission, for instance because the person signed up for notifications. If you receive a message supposedly from the IRS promoting mysterious stimulus payments or tax credits, it is almost certainly a scam. Delete the message and do not click any links, as the links typically lead to fake IRS websites created to steal people’s tax refunds or personal information.

Finally, when reaching out by phone, IRS employees do not leave aggressive messages threatening people with arrest. They also never demand payment in a specific format, such as prepaid gift cards. If you are unsure about the legitimacy of a phone call supposedly from the IRS, hang up and call an official IRS customer service number for more information. You will not be penalized for taking reasonable precautions to protect yourself from scams.

Create an IRS online account: https://www.irs.gov/payments/online-account-for-individuals

Diva R. Mejias

Diva R. Mejias is a seasoned professional with over three decades in corporate finance, including a notable role as District Controller for United Parcel Service where she managed $350M annually. An entrepreneur with significant tax expertise, she's a Main Street Certified Tax Advisor and ITIN Certified Acceptance Agent, preparing thousands of tax returns under her company, DM Financial Services. Additionally, she is licensed in multiple states as an insurance agent and serves as a Realtor with CENTURY21. Diva has also lent her expertise to numerous non-profits and currently holds several board positions. She's been recognized for her work and community service, receiving awards such as the 2021 Bloc 50 over 50 and the 2023 Annual Tribute to Women.

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