If you received an email from the IRS recently, it’s probably a scam.
The agency never initiates contact with taxpayers by email, text messages or social media channels. The IRS also never threatens lawsuits, imprisonment or other enforcement action.
To avoid being scammed, the CyberSafe at USPS team encourages you to watch out for:
• Sites that contain a “lookalike” URL. Scammers will try to trick you with false IRS sites, so check a site’s address before clicking on it. Many government sites end with “.gov.”
• Emails from the IRS. Scammers will use IRS logos and other information to make emails appear authentic. Don’t click on links in suspicious looking emails.
• Phone calls from “government officials.” Scammers will call and impersonate IRS or other government officials to trick you into revealing bank routing numbers and other personal information. Don’t give your personal information to unknown callers.
If you notice suspicious activity while using postal equipment, report it immediately to the CyberSecurity Operations Center by emailing CyberSafe@usps.gov.
You can also report tax-related phishing scams on the IRS’s site.
The CyberSafe at USPS sites on Blue, LiteBlue and usps.com have additional tips.