Scam Watch · Phone Scam · No. 07

The IRS Is Threatening Arrest!

Someone claiming to represent the IRS threatens arrest or prosecution unless you immediately settle an alleged tax debt.

Protect yourself

Government agencies don't demand gift cards or cryptocurrency to resolve tax issues. Verify through official government channels.

How it works

Someone claiming to represent the IRS threatens arrest or prosecution unless you immediately settle an alleged tax debt.

The IRS, and the tax agencies of most countries, start with a letter, allow you to question what you owe, and never threaten to send police. The same script is used against Canadian and UK taxpayers with the agency name swapped.

Red flags

  • First contact by phone instead of mail
  • A demand for a specific payment method, with no option to appeal
  • Threats to involve police, immigration or your employer

If it already happened

If you already paid or gave access: hang up and call your bank from the number on your card to stop or reverse the payment, change any password you read out, and if you installed software or granted remote control, disconnect the computer and call your IT provider. Report the call at reportfraud.ftc.gov.

Where OpenEFA fits

Email filtering can't stop a phone call. The defense here is a habit: hang up, and call back on a number you already trust.

Scam Watch No. 07 · EFA Security · efasecurity.com/scam-watch/ · Print this page and post it where your team will see it.
No. 06: Your Electricity Will Be Shut Off! No. 08: The Help Desk Needs Your Security Code!

Part of the OpenEFA MailGuard Scam Watch series. Published October 21, 2026 by the EFA Security team. Share it freely; a link back is appreciated.

At a glance

  • Type: Phone Scam
  • Channel: Phone Scams (Vishing)
  • They want: Money, usually by gift card, wire or cash app, or remote access to your computer
  • One rule: Tax agencies write first. They don't threaten arrest by phone.

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All 24 alerts

Phone, email and text message scams, each on one page.

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