Every day, citizens around the nation are getting letters that look like they are from the IRS, and it's natural to feel a twinge of fear when you open one. Your mind will automatically speculate about back taxes owed, a missing form, or something having gone awry.
But not all IRS letters that appear legitimate are actually from the IRS. Scammers are now issuing fake IRS letters that very much mimic the originals, from the logo and layout to the words they use, all with the aim of causing you to act fast.
This blog post isn't intended to mean fear. Its goal is to make you aware of what is real and what is not, so that you will feel confident recognizing warning signs and give you an answer in your mind: "How to spot a fake letter?" Because once you're aware of what to search for, these tricks are a lot simpler to steer clear of.
Understanding Real vs. Fake IRS Letters
If you ever get a letter that looks like it’s from the IRS, it’s normal for your heart to skip a beat for a second. But before you jump to any conclusion, just pause. The first thing you should do is understand how a real IRS letter actually looks. Once you know that, spotting a fake one becomes a lot easier.
So let’s quickly look at what a real IRS letter usually includes.
How Does the IRS Officially Mail Letters?
The IRS mainly uses standard mail as its primary method of communication, avoiding email, text, and phone calls. An authentic IRS notice will always be on real IRS letterhead and will be sent through the U.S. Postal Service, not private courier services or email attachments.
A genuine IRS letter usually contains the following elements:
- The IRS seal or logo.
- An IRS office return address (like Austin, TX, or Ogden, UT).
- A specific notice or letter number (for example, CP2501, CP14, or LT11).
Thus, if you receive a message through email or in a standard envelope that does not have these elements, it is not from the IRS. Moreover, the IRS does not ask for payment or any personal information through links or QR codes. Only written formal mail is used for communication.
IRS Notice Number – What It Means
Every legitimate IRS letter has a notice or letter number, usually printed at the top right corner (for example, CP518 or LT16). This number helps identify why the IRS is contacting you, whether it’s about a balance due, a missing return, or an identity verification.
You can confirm the number by searching it directly on IRS.gov. If the number doesn’t exist or the contents don’t match what the IRS describes on its site, you’re likely dealing with a scam. A fake letter often copies IRS formatting but uses incorrect or outdated numbers to look authentic.
Clear Explanation of the Tax Issue
A real IRS letter is never vague. It clearly explains what the issue is, for example, a balance you owe, an unfiled return, or a correction made to your account. You’ll see:
- The specific tax year or form being discussed
- The exact amount due (if any)
- A clear reason for the notice
IRS fake letters, on the other hand, often use generic language like “You have unpaid taxes” without any supporting details. Genuine IRS communication always gives you enough context to understand why you’re being contacted and what steps you can take next.
Your Rights as a Taxpayer in IRS Letters
One of the easiest ways to spot a real notice is to look for your taxpayer rights. Authentic IRS letters include an explanation of your right to appeal, request a hearing, or dispute the notice. They also mention how long you have to respond and the process to follow.
Scammers rarely include this because they don’t want you to pause or think; they want you to act fast. So, if you don’t see anything about your rights or response options, that’s an immediate red flag.
Official Contact Information and Departments in IRS Letters
Each legitimate IRS letter includes certain contact details, generally a phone number associated with a division, for instance, “Collections” or “Accounts Management.” This number will be a legitimate IRS contact line that you can look up via IRS.gov/contact.
In case of fraudulent letters, phony numbers are often provided, which lead directly to the criminals pretending to be IRS representatives. If you have any doubts, always check the number on the internet before making the call. Do not call a number that is on a dubious letter without first verifying it.
Personal Information Included in Genuine IRS Letters
Real IRS notices contain accurate personal details, such as your full name, address, and often the last four digits of your Social Security Number (never the full SSN). This partial information helps you confirm that the letter is tied to your IRS record.
IRS fake letters may use misspelled names, wrong addresses, or generic greetings like “Dear Taxpayer.” These are strong clues that the letter wasn’t sent by the IRS. Remember, the IRS already knows who you are; scammers don’t.
What Should You Do After Receiving an IRS Letter?
First of all, receiving a letter from the IRS shouldn’t cause you to get all stressed out. There are plenty of routine IRS notices, and also some that do not even imply a request for payment at all. Here are the actions you can take:
- Read the letter slowly: Go through the letter carefully and take your time from the beginning to the end. Authentic IRS letters usually state the reasons for the correspondence clearly, mention the specific tax year in question, and specify what they expect from you.
- Check the notice number: The notice or letter number is located at the top right corner. You are allowed to use that number to perform a search on IRS.gov and validate its authenticity. If you can’t find it or there is a discrepancy in the description, then it is wise to check with the IRS in person.
- Verify who it’s from: An IRS letter that is real will have an official return address along with a contact number, which you can verify at IRS.gov/contact. Do not call any number or respond to any message until you have confirmed that it is official.
- Take your time before paying: Paying by gift cards, mobile apps, or wire transfers is never the way the IRS will ask you to pay. If the letter is written in a commanding tone or states the instant payment requirement, then it is a good idea to consider it as suspicious.
- Keep a copy and ask for help if needed: Place the letter among your records. It’s always alright to consult an IRS tax specialist or call the IRS yourself if you are uncertain about your response. You may also report it to phishing@irs.gov or the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) if it appears to be fake.
Got an IRS Letter?
Stay Calm and Let a Pro Review It
Every letter from the IRS deserves a careful look—and you don’t have to figure it out alone.
With Mr. Michael Sullivan, a former IRS agent, reviewing each notice,
you’ll know exactly what it means and what to do next before taking any step.
Warning Signs of a Fake IRS Letter
Scam letters can look very real at first, but a closer look always reveals small mistakes. If you know what to look for, it’s easy to tell when something isn’t right. Here are the common warning signs you should never ignore.
- IRS Letter About a Tax Return You Haven’t Filed Yet: If you get a letter about a tax return you never filed, it’s almost always fake. The IRS won’t send notices for tax years or forms that don’t exist in their records. Scammers use this trick to scare you into reacting fast.
- Missing or Fake IRS Logo on the Letter: A genuine IRS letter is printed on official paper and includes the real IRS logo, a return address, and proper formatting. Scam letters often look slightly off; blurry logos, strange fonts, or unprofessional spacing are signs that something’s wrong.
- Spelling and Grammar Errors in IRS Letter Scams: The IRS checks every notice carefully before sending it. Real letters don’t have random capital letters, missing words, or broken sentences. If the writing feels clumsy or looks like it’s been copied and pasted, it’s not genuine.
- Immediate Payment Demands in Fake IRS Letters: Scam letters often try to make you act fast. They might say, “Pay immediately” or “You’ll face arrest if you don’t respond today.” The IRS never threatens or rushes you. Real notices always give time to review and respond.
- Requests for Unusual Payment Methods: The IRS never asks for payment through prepaid debit cards, mobile apps, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers. Those methods can’t be traced easily, which is why scammers use them. Real payments are always made to the U.S. Treasury through approved channels.
- IRS Letter Scam Demanding Gift Cards: One of the most common scams involves fake letters asking you to buy gift cards and share the codes. The IRS will never ask for payment in gift cards of any kind: not Amazon, not Apple, not Google Play, not Walmart, not Target. If you see this, it’s 100% a scam.
- Fake IRS Letter Claiming You’ve Won Money or a Prize: If a letter says you’ve “won” a refund, lottery, or tax credit, don’t believe it. The IRS doesn’t send rewards or surprise payments. These scams are designed to collect your bank details under the promise of free money.
- Threats of Jail or Prison Time in IRS Letter Scams: Scammers often use fear to get quick reactions. They might warn about jail, property seizure, or suspension of your license. Real IRS letters never use such language. They follow a legal process and never make threats.
- Payment Requests Made to Someone Other Than the U.S. Treasury: Every real payment to the IRS goes to the U.S. Treasury. If the letter asks you to make a check payable to an individual or a company, it’s fake. The IRS doesn’t use middlemen or third-party payment collectors.
- Requests for Sensitive Personal Information: The IRS already has your Social Security Number, address, and tax data. If a letter asks you to “confirm” or “update” that information, it’s likely a phishing attempt to steal your identity. Never share personal details without confirming they are real.
- Fake IRS Letter Sent in an Unusual or Plain Envelope: Real IRS mail usually comes in white or government-marked envelopes with printed labels and a return address. Scam letters often come in plain envelopes, handwritten ones, or with missing details. Anything that looks unprofessional should raise suspicion.
Common IRS Letter Scams You Should Know
Scammers regularly use IRS letter impersonation to trick people. Below are three real scam types you should know about, what they say, how they act, and why they catch people off guard.
Refund Scams with Fake IRS Letters
These are among the most frequent scams. The scammer sends a letter claiming you’re entitled to a big refund, sometimes saying it’s due to a “computer error” or a missed credit. Then they ask you to send personal or banking info so they can “process” that refund.
Some versions also deposit an “erroneous refund” into your account and later demand you return it with interest. The IRS calls this an “erroneous refund” scam.
Why it works: People expect refunds, so a letter promising “you’ve been overpaid” looks less suspicious than one demanding you owe money.
IRS Alert → Fake Refund Emails Targeting Taxpayers (2025)In June 2025, the IRS issued a warning about a new phishing scam. Emails were being sent out that looked like official IRS notices, claiming recipients were “eligible for a tax refund.” These emails included calls to “click to verify your details” and used IRS-style logos to seem real. Because these emails mimic IRS communications and promise refunds, many people fall into the trap. The IRS emphasizes it never sends unsolicited emails asking for personal or bank information. |
Phishing Scams Disguised as IRS Letters
These combine the look of a letter with digital tricks. The scammer mails or sends what looks like an IRS notice, but it includes links, QR codes, or instructions to visit a fake IRS-looking site where they ask for your login, Social Security number, or bank info.
Sometimes they even say, “scan this QR code to verify your identity” or “click the link to claim a refund.” The real IRS will never send a letter with links to sites asking for your credentials.
If you follow those links or enter your info, scammers can steal your identity or file false returns in your name.
Alert →A recent scam email using the subject line “Urgent reminder” pretended to be from the Tax Services Department. It included a PDF with a QR code that looked official at first glance. But when people scanned it, they were taken to a fake Microsoft login page that was created to steal their information. The IRS has confirmed that it does not send emails or letters with QR codes or login links asking you to verify your identity or access an account. |
Expired Tax Credit Scams Using Fake IRS Notices
Recently, scammers have targeted people by claiming that certain tax credits or refunds have “expired,” and you must act immediately to claim them. These scams take advantage of newer credits (for example, from stimulus, energy tax credits, or other special programs).
They send you a notice that looks like it came from the IRS or Treasury, saying “your unclaimed credit is about to be lost” unless you respond right away. The wording is meant to push urgency and fear.
Because tax laws change and some credits have deadline windows, these scams sound more believable to many. However, the IRS does not send these kinds of “expired credit” notices demanding immediate action.
IRS Alert → Misleading Social Media Claims About Expired Tax CreditsIn July 2024, the IRS cautioned taxpayers against misleading social media posts making the rounds. These messages were urging individuals to claim expired tax credits or that they were not qualified to claim them in the first place. For instance, the Fuel Tax Credit and the Sick and Family Leave Credit, with messages falsely claiming such things as "claim your benefits before they expire." The IRS established that such claims were false. Individuals who applied them could end up losing their refunds, having their returns disallowed, or even being charged penalties. In most instances, the IRS also issued identity verification letters like 5747C, 4883C, 5071C, or 3176C to verify whether the taxpayer actually filed the return. The IRS took the opportunity to remind people that actual tax credits do not just become extinct overnight via arbitrary online notifications or viral social networking communications. Anything such as that must be considered a red flag for a potential scam. |
Lien or Levy Threat Scam
Some scam letters try to scare people by saying the IRS is about to place a lien or levy on their property, bank account, or wages. These letters often look serious and sometimes even mention fake agencies like the “Bureau of Tax Enforcement.”
The goal is to create panic so you’ll pay quickly without checking. In reality, the IRS follows a formal process and always sends several official notices before enforcement. The last real one is called Letter 1058, or LT11, Final Notice of Intent to Levy and Notice of Your Right to a Hearing.
So, if you ever get a letter claiming to be a “final warning” but it’s not LT11 or Letter 1058, it’s fake. The IRS never invents new departments or sends random letters demanding instant payment.
If you get something that doesn’t look right, take a moment to verify it on IRS.gov or speak with a trusted tax professional before acting.
IRS Alert → Fake “Bureau of Tax Enforcement” Lien and Levy LettersThe IRS has warned taxpayers about scam letters that mention a fake agency called the “Bureau of Tax Enforcement.” These letters often claim that you owe taxes and that your property or wages will be taken if you do not pay right away. They are written to look very official, which is why many people get worried as soon as they see them. In reality, the IRS does not have any department with this name. If the IRS ever takes action, such as placing a lien or levy, it always follows a legal process and sends official notices like Letter 1058 or LT11 to inform you clearly. These fake letters are created only to scare people and steal money or personal information. If you ever receive such a letter, do not react immediately. First, verify it on IRS.gov or speak with a trusted tax professional to be sure it is real. |
How to Report a Fake IRS Letter or IRS Letter Scam?
If you receive a letter that doesn’t feel right, the best thing to do is report it instead of ignoring it. It protects you, and it also helps stop others from falling for the same scam. Here’s how you can do that, step by step.
- Send it to the IRS: If the letter came through email or text, forward it to phishing@irs.gov. If it were a physical letter, just take a clear photo or scan of it, include the envelope, too, if you can, and send it to the same email address.
- Report it to TIGTA: TIGTA is the federal agency that handles IRS impersonation cases. You can report the scam at TIGTA.gov or call 1-800-366-4484.
- Submit a report to the FTC: The Federal Trade Commission also tracks scams. Go to ReportFraud.FTC.gov and file a quick report. It only takes a minute.
- Tell your state tax agency if you already shared personal info: If you mistakenly gave out any personal details, like your Social Security Number or bank account info, contact your state tax agency right away so they can help secure your record.
- Keep a copy for your records: Before you throw anything away, save a photo or copy of the letter. If the IRS or government asks about it later, you’ll have proof ready.
Final Thoughts on Staying Safe from IRS Letter Scams
It only takes one wrong letter to make anyone feel cornered. Many people panic the moment they see the words “Internal Revenue Service” at the top of a page. They rush to respond, send money, or share information before stopping to think. That’s exactly what scammers count on.
Mr. Michael Sullivan, a former IRS agent, has spent years on the IRS side; he provides all kinds of tax resolution services, and he understands every letter, every notice, and every system the IRS uses. Before you react to a letter, make a call with us that counts.
FAQs
A fake IRS letter itself cannot be used against you legally because it holds no official status, but it is still important to keep it. You should save it as part of your records because:
- It may help you prove that someone tried to impersonate the IRS.
- The IRS or authorities may request a copy when you report the scam.
- If the scammer contacts you again, it creates a documented pattern.
So it’s not legally binding, but it can serve as supporting proof to protect you, not harm you.
That’s a strong sign that something is wrong. Real IRS letters will only mention a tax representative if you officially authorized that person using Form 2848 (Power of Attorney). If you see a name you don’t recognize:
- Do not call the number on the letter.
- Log in to your IRS account or call the IRS from their official contact page.
- Confirm whether anyone is actually linked to your account.
If there is no such representative on record, it’s almost certainly a scammer trying to gain your trust.
Yes. Scammers sometimes attach fake “verification forms” or extra pages that look like IRS worksheets to trick you into entering sensitive personal or financial details. Real IRS letters might occasionally include forms, but only with very specific instructions, such as referencing the exact tax year and form number involved. If there’s no clear explanation for the form, or it just says “fill this out immediately,” it’s best to treat it as unsafe and verify first.
Yes, and that’s what makes these scams dangerous. If scammers think you might be paying attention, they may send a second or third letter that appears even more “urgent” or official. They do this intentionally to build pressure over time. That’s why the safest move is to verify the letter before replying or ignoring it, not waiting for the situation to escalate.
If it were genuine, you could miss a legal deadline, lose your right to dispute the issue, or face penalties or additional notices later. That’s why ignoring it is risky, even if it looks suspicious. The right step is not to respond, but to quickly verify first, either through IRS.gov or a qualified tax professional, so you don’t accidentally delay a real response.
