HIGH government impersonation
IRS calling about your tax refund or arrest warrant
Scammer impersonates an IRS agent claiming you owe back taxes or have an arrest warrant, demanding immediate payment by gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency.
Also known as: IRS arrest warrant call, tax debt robocall, IRS gift card scam
What to do right now
- 1 Hang up immediately — do not engage with the caller
- 2 Do not call back any number the caller gives you
- 3 If you genuinely think you owe taxes, call the IRS directly at 1-800-829-1040
- 4 If you installed any 'support' or 'server' or 'refund app' or remote-access app at the scammer's request (AnyDesk, TeamViewer, Quick Support, etc.), run free SeraphSecure (https://www.seraphsecure.com) to detect and remove it.
- 5 Report to the FTC at https://reportfraud.ftc.gov and the FBI's IC3 at https://www.ic3.gov.
Was remote-access software installed?
If a scammer asked you to install AnyDesk, TeamViewer, Quick Support, or any remote-access app, your device may still be compromised.
Run SeraphSecure to detect and remove it →Red flags
- ⚠ The IRS always contacts people by mail first — never by unsolicited phone call
- ⚠ Demands immediate payment by gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency
- ⚠ Threatens arrest, deportation, or license revocation
- ⚠ Caller ID may be spoofed to show 'IRS' or a Washington DC number
Known variants
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AI-generated voice robocalls clone official IRS automated-system tones to deliver messages claiming the taxpayer owes back taxes or faces imminent arrest, directing victims to a fraudulent callback number.
Last seen: 5/15/2026