This 'IRS Letter' Is a Scam

Photo: Jimmy Rooney (Shutterstock)

Scammers love to prey on taxpayers by pretending to represent the IRS and using their “authority” to acquire sensitive personal information and steal your money. These criminals use any means necessary to contact and bully you into downloading a tax document, sharing your bank account number, or verifying other information—the result of which is anything from malware on your computer to identity theft.

What’s the newest tax refund scam?

The latest scam the IRS is warning people about involves a notice that arrives by mail in a cardboard envelope with information “in relation to your unclaimed refund.”

The letter may look legit at first glance, as it’s printed on IRS letterhead and includes contact information (though the phone number is, obviously, not actually connected to the real IRS). It asks recipients to share “filing information”—a cellphone number, bank routing numbers, bank account type, Social Security number, and driver’s license photos—in order to receive their refund.

However, there are a number of red flags that are hallmarks of many tax scams:

What letters from the IRS actually look like

The IRS will never initiate contact with you via email, text, or social media to discuss your tax refund, but the agency does mail letters in some cases, including to notify you of a balance due, to verify your identity, to request additional information, or to let you know about changes in your return or refund (including processing delays).

A legitimate letter from the IRS will always include your partial tax ID number, a notice or letter number in the top or bottom right-hand corner, and your taxpayer rights. The envelope will also have the IRS logo on it (a blank cardboard envelope is a red flag). If the letter includes demands for payment or personal information, you should be skeptical and verify with the IRS by calling or contacting the agency directly via the information listed on its website.