Be wary of unsolicited phone calls or emails claiming to be from the IRS. The IRS typically communicates with taxpayers through regular mail rather than by phone or email.

Never give out personal or financial information over the phone or through email. For example, the IRS will never ask for personal information such as your social security number or bank account details over the phone or by email.

Be suspicious of threats or demands for immediate payment. Scammers often use threats and intimidation to pressure victims into making quick payments. The IRS will only demand immediate payment after first allowing you to question or appeal the amount owed.

Verify the identity of anyone claiming to be from the IRS. You can do this by asking for their name, badge number, and phone number to call them back. Then, you can contact the IRS directly to verify their identity.

Protect your personal information. Please keep your personal and financial information secure and be careful with whom you share it.

Report suspicious activity. If you suspect an IRS scam has targeted you or received a suspicious email or phone call, report it to the IRS and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). You can use a search engine like Google or Bing to find your local IRS or FTC number.