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IRS Tax Tips Jan. 17, 2025

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Issue Number: Tax Tip 2025-06
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*How taxpayers can protect themselves from gift card scams*

Taxpayers should be aware of gift card scams and take steps to protect themselves [ [link removed] ]. Scammers may target taxpayers by asking them to pay a fake tax bill with gift cards. People should remember that the IRS *never* asks for or accepts gift cards as payment for a tax bill.

The IRS doesn't initiate contact with taxpayers by email, text messages or social media channels to request personal or financial information. To verify it’s the IRS, go to IRS.gov and verify the form or visit the Let Us Help You [ [link removed] ] page to verify tax information with self-service options.

*Common schemes*

Scammers are always changing their tactics. Recently, the IRS has seen scammers:


* Request gift cards over the phone through a government impersonation scam or by sending a text message, email or social media message.
* Pose as an IRS agent and call the taxpayer or leave a pre-recorded voicemail stating they are linked to some criminal activity.
* Threaten or harass the taxpayer by telling them that they must pay a fictitious tax penalty.
* Instruct the taxpayer to buy gift cards from various stores.
* Pressure the taxpayer to buy gift cards, then ask the taxpayer to provide the gift card number and PIN.

*Who’s calling*

Here's how taxpayers can tell it's really the IRS calling [ [link removed] ]. The IRS will *never*:


* Call for immediate payment using a specific payment method such as a gift card, prepaid debit card or over social media.
* Demand a taxpayer pay “or else.”
* Threaten to bring in law enforcement or immigration officers to have the taxpayer arrested for not paying.
* Take a taxpayers citizenship status, driver’s license or business license.

*Identity theft actions
*

Any taxpayer who suspects they’ve been the victim of a scammer should:


* Visit Identity Theft Central [ [link removed] ] page of IRS.gov for next steps.
* Contact the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration to report a phone scam, and use their IRS Impersonation Scam Reporting [ [link removed] ] webpage or call 800-366-4484. [ tel:800-366-4484 ]
* Report phone scams to the Federal Trade Commission with the FTC Complaint Assistant [ [link removed] ] on FTC.gov, and add "IRS phone scam" in the notes.

*More information:*


* Report Phishing [ [link removed] ]

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