The IRS and Social Security Administration warn that they do not initiate random contact by phone, text or email. All legitimate communication is typically done by U.S. mail. The IRS has reported the following fraudulent activities:

• Someone posing as an IRS agent over the phone demanding payment by prepaid debit card, gift card or wire transfer.
• Calls about a tax refund being recalculated that requires filling out a form.
• Pre-recorded, urgent or threatening phone messages claiming an arrest warrant will be issued unless a return call is received.
• Fake caller ID numbers that say they are coming from the IRS, law enforcement or government offices.
• Emails with links that say you can view the details of your tax refund or tax transcript.
• Bogus text messages regarding a tax bill or refund.
• Unsolicited email appearing to be from the IRS or an IRS-related program seeking personal or financial information, or leading to a bogus website.

Hang up! Don’t click on links or respond! Keep yourself and your personal information safe!