According to the Federal Trade Commission, consumers reported losing $2.6 billion to impostor scams in 2022. One of the longest running impostor scams involves the IRS, so tax time is a good time to draw attention to it.
Most IRS impostor scams begin as a robocall, with the message either directing you to press a number on your keypad to talk with a live agent, or to call back using the number provided. The messages can be negative, you owe back taxes, or positive, you’re receiving a refund. Either way there is an urgent request to call a number or click a link right away.

Remember the IRS doesn’t initiate contact via text or email. If you get a call claiming to be from the IRS, hang up – or better yet, don’t pick up the call to begin with. If you think you may owe taxes, call the IRS at 800-829-1040, or visit irs.gov/balancedue.

Be a fraud fighter! If you can spot a scam, you can stop a scam.

Visit the AARP Fraud Watch Network at www.aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork or call the AARP Fraud Watch Helpline at 1-877-908-3360.

Need a scam prevention speaker for your group? Go to aarp.org/me or call 1-866-554-5380.