“Tax relief” scam calls are a widespread form of fraud where scammers pretend to be tax professionals, government agents, or debt relief companies offering to “help reduce or eliminate your tax debt”—but in reality, they’re after your money or personal info.
Here’s what to watch for and how to protect yourself:
🚨 What Tax Relief Scams Look Like
Scam calls often sound like:
“You qualify for a special IRS tax forgiveness program.”
“We can settle your tax debt for pennies on the dollar.”
“You owe back taxes—act now to avoid arrest.”
“We’re a government-approved tax relief firm.”
They may pretend to be from:
The IRS
A “tax resolution” company
A legal office or accounting firm
But their goal is to:
Charge large upfront fees with no actual service
Steal your Social Security Number
Convince you to send money via wire, gift cards, or checks
Also Read : Phone Number 866 216-1072
❌ Red Flags of a Tax Relief Scam
| Red Flag | Why It’s Suspicious |
|---|---|
| High-pressure tactics | “Act now before you’re arrested!” |
| Upfront fees or credit card ask | Legit tax help never requires prepayment |
| Claims of “government affiliation” | Scammers often lie about connections to the IRS |
| Unsolicited calls or robocalls | IRS and legit tax pros don’t cold call |
| Request for sensitive info | Scammers want SSNs, bank info, or tax records |
📱 How to Block Calls or Texts on Your Phone
▶️ iPhone
Go to Phone or Messages app
Tap the “i” next to the number
Scroll down and tap “Block this Caller”
Bonus Tip:
Go to Settings → Phone → Silence Unknown Callers
This blocks numbers not in your contacts
▶️ Android (varies slightly by device)
Open the Phone app
Tap Recents
Tap the number → Details → Block number
You can also:
Go to Settings → Caller ID & Spam → Block spam and scam calls
✅ What to Do If You Get One
Don’t engage—hang up immediately.
Don’t share any personal or financial info.
Block the number if your phone allows.
Report the scam:
FTC: reportfraud.ftc.gov
IRS phishing hotline: 1‑800‑366‑4484
Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA): www.treasury.gov/tigta
🧠 Pro Tip: How to Tell If It’s Legit
| Real Tax Help (IRS or legit firms) | Tax Relief Scams |
|---|---|
| Waits for you to initiate contact | Unsolicited calls, voicemails |
| Sends letters via USPS only | Robocalls or texts |
| Never demands immediate payment | Threatens legal action or arrest |
| Registered with IRS/State Bar/CPA board | Often unlicensed and untraceable |
🧾 If You Need Real Tax Help
You can get legitimate help with tax debt—just make sure it’s through a trusted source:
IRS Fresh Start Program: irs.gov/payments
Certified Tax Professionals:
CPAs
Enrolled Agents (EAs)
Tax Attorneys
(Check credentials via irs.gov/tax-professionals)
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