Scam index
Find the scam you are dealing with.
Search by keyword, filter by category or risk level, and open any scam to see the full breakdown — warning signs, what to do, and where to report it.
IRS impersonator phone call scam
A caller claims to be from the IRS and threatens arrest, deportation, or license revocation unless you pay an alleged tax debt immediately over the phone.
Hang up immediately — the IRS never calls to demand immediate payment or threaten arrest.
Taxpayers
U.S.
IRS audit threat robocall scam
An automated robocall claims the IRS is filing a lawsuit or audit against you and instructs you to call back immediately or face arrest.
Do not call back — the IRS does not leave pre-recorded messages threatening lawsuits or arrest.
Taxpayers
U.S.
fake IRS refund deposit scam
Scammers send emails or texts claiming an IRS tax refund has been deposited into the wrong account and ask victims to provide banking details to redirect the funds.
Never provide banking details in response to unsolicited messages — the IRS initiates refunds based on the return you filed.
Taxpayers
U.S.
IRS gift card payment scam
A caller impersonating an IRS agent threatens arrest or legal action unless you pay a supposed tax debt immediately with gift cards purchased from a retail store.
Hang up — the IRS never demands payment by gift card. This is always a scam.
Taxpayers
U.S.
tax refund phishing email scam
An email impersonating the IRS or a tax software company claims you are owed a refund and directs you to a fake website to steal your personal and financial information.
Do not click links in unsolicited emails claiming to be from the IRS — the IRS does not initiate contact by email.
Taxpayers
U.S.
tax debt settlement scam
A company promises to settle your IRS tax debt for pennies on the dollar, charges large upfront fees, and then provides little or no actual help with the IRS.
Check the IRS Offer in Compromise Pre-Qualifier tool at irs.gov before hiring any company.
Taxpayers
U.S.
Tax refund verification phishing scam
A fake refund or filing problem message pressures the victim to verify tax identity through a counterfeit government portal.
Go directly to the tax authority website instead of using message links.
Tax filers
U.S.
fake tax filing portal scam
Fraudulent websites impersonate IRS or tax authority portals, tricking taxpayers into entering Social Security numbers, income data, and banking details for identity theft and fraudulent refund claims.
File taxes only through IRS-authorized e-file providers listed at irs.gov or use IRS Free File.
Citizens
U.S.
tax transcript request phishing scam
Phishing emails impersonate the IRS or tax software providers, directing victims to fake sites where they enter credentials to download a tax transcript, which is then used for identity theft.
Access your tax transcript only through irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript — never through emailed links.
Taxpayers
U.S.
payroll check scam
Scammers posing as employers send fake payroll checks to new hires, then request the employee return a portion for equipment or supplies.
Research any new employer through your state's business registration database before accepting payment.
Job seekers
U.S.
fake stimulus check update scam
Fraudulent messages claim a new stimulus payment is available and direct recipients to a fake IRS portal to verify their identity and banking details, stealing personal and financial information.
Know that the IRS never initiates contact via text, email, or social media about stimulus payments.
Low-income households
U.S.
W-2 employer phishing scam
Scammers impersonate a company executive via email and request that HR or payroll send employee W-2 forms, exposing names, SSNs, and income data for mass identity theft.
Verify any executive request for tax data by calling the executive directly using a known phone number.
Small business owners
U.S.
tax preparer fraud scam
A dishonest or unlicensed tax preparer inflates deductions, fabricates credits, or files fraudulent returns to inflate refunds — then takes a cut or steals the refund entirely.
Verify your tax preparer has a valid PTIN by searching the IRS Return Preparer Office directory.
Taxpayers
U.S.
EIN identity theft scam
Criminals use stolen business information to obtain a fraudulent Employer Identification Number or hijack an existing one to file fake tax returns and open fraudulent accounts.
Monitor your business credit reports regularly for unauthorized accounts.
Small business owners
U.S.
ITIN application scam
Scammers pose as authorized agents who can expedite Individual Taxpayer Identification Number applications, charging high fees for services that are free or low-cost through the IRS.
Apply for an ITIN directly through the IRS or use an IRS-authorized Certified Acceptance Agent.
Immigrants
U.S.
state tax agency impersonator scam
Scammers impersonate a state department of revenue or taxation, claiming you owe state taxes and demanding immediate payment to avoid penalties or legal action.
Hang up and call your state tax agency directly using the number on its official website.
Taxpayers
U.S.
property tax lien scam
Scammers send official-looking letters or make calls claiming there is a lien on your property due to unpaid taxes and demand immediate payment to remove it.
Contact your county tax assessor's office directly to verify any claims about liens on your property.
Taxpayers
U.S.
Craigslist cashier's check overpayment scam
A buyer sends a cashier's check for more than the asking price and asks the seller to wire back the difference, but the check is fraudulent and bounces after the seller sends real money.
Never accept payment for more than the agreed price — this is the hallmark of an overpayment scam.
Online sellers
U.S.
Zillow pre-approval phishing scam
A phishing email or ad claims to offer instant mortgage pre-approval through Zillow, harvesting Social Security numbers, financial records, and personal information.
Apply for mortgage pre-approval only through verified lenders or directly at zillow.com/home-loans.
Homebuyers
U.S.
eBay off-platform payment request scam
A seller contacts a buyer directly to complete the transaction outside of eBay using Zelle, Venmo, wire transfer, or gift cards, eliminating all eBay buyer protections.
Never pay for eBay items outside of eBay's managed payments system.
eBay buyers
U.S.
eBay Motors vehicle scam
Fake vehicle listings on eBay Motors offer cars at below-market prices, with sellers insisting payment be made through a fake eBay vehicle purchase protection program before the buyer can inspect the car.
eBay does not offer a vehicle purchase protection escrow program — any reference to it is a scam.
Car buyers
U.S.
fake landlord scam
A person poses as the landlord of a property they do not own, showing it to prospective tenants and collecting deposits before the real owner discovers the scheme.
Verify the landlord's identity by checking property ownership records at the county assessor's office.
Renters
U.S.
puppy deposit scam
A seller advertises puppies online, collects a deposit, then either never delivers the puppy or demands additional fees for shipping, insurance, and crates.
Visit the breeder in person or request a live video call with the specific puppy.
Pet seekers
U.S.
title washing auto scam
A salvage or flood-damaged vehicle's title is laundered through states with lax title laws to remove the salvage brand, then resold as clean.
Always run a vehicle history report through the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System at vehiclehistory.bja.ojp.gov.
Car buyers
U.S.