The IRS reminds taxpayers that the agency does not contact taxpayers by email or text messages to request personal or financial information.
Here’s what a taxpayer should do if they see a suspicious communication from the IRS:
Email-If Someone receives an email claiming to be from the IRS that contains a request for personal information… Then the recipient should:
- Not reply.
- Not open any attachments. They can contain malicious code that may infect a computer or mobile phone.
- Not click on any links.
- Forward the email as-is to the IRS at phising@irs.gov.
- Delete the original email.
Text Message-If someone receives an unsolicited text message claiming to be from the IRS…Then the recipient should:
- Not reply.
- Not open any attachments.
- Not click on any links.
- Forward the text as-is to the IRS at 202-552-1226. Standard text messaging rates apply.
- If possible, in a separate text, forward the originating number to the agency at 202-552-1226.
- Delete the original text.