Watch for this Scam From the “IRS” Only It’s NOT the IRS

So, we did our taxes like everyone else.  And I have come to the conclusion that the time of getting a refund is over for me.  It's very depressing.  I used to love tax time because I always got a refund.  Such is no longer the case - and now I have to pay in.  Have had to for a few years, now.  And that is a bummer, but that also brings me to this scam that I almost, ALMOST fell for.

JUST BECAUSE IT LOOKS REAL DOESN'T MEAN IT IS

It looked so legit.

I received a letter from the "IRS".  It had the correct logo, address, all the things that you would look for to believe that this was real.  There were a couple of red flags.

First, they claimed that I had a refund coming (I just mentioned I had to pay in).  The letter claimed that they didn't have the correct bank account number, or that it didn't go through, or whatever the issue was.  They needed me to either call, or go to the link - which was the one from the IRS - seemingly so, anyway.  Oh, and a note stating that if I have other things due through the government, that they could at that time take the refund.

DO SOME RESEARCH TO FIND WHAT TO LOOK FOR ON THE LETTER

I Googled to see if the IRS is sending letters.  They are, because in 2026 they are trying to eliminate the need for physical checks.  The letter also stated that I had 30 days to do this verification.  That is also true, if the letter is real.  So, that tracked.  It also said to check the letter for a certain combination of letters and numbers in the bottom left corner of the letter.  It did.  Still looks legit, right?

Here was the tell-tale sign that it was a scam letter.  There was an instruction that stated that I could go to the website link provided, or just scan the QR code.  When I Googled, it stated that the QR code is the big RED flag.  The IRS does NOT give out QR codes to use.  EVER.  So, I ripped up that letter and threw it in the garbage.  The other sign was the fact that this bank account has been used in other years, when i actually did get a refund, with no issues.  Plus, I had to pay in!  So, no outstanding refund.

MAKE SURE TO QUESTION ALMOST EVERYTHING TO MAKE SURE IT'S LEGIT

I suppose if the scammers blanket a certain area with these bogus letters, they might get a bite.  So - if you ever get a letter from the supposed IRS, make sure you check some things to make sure it's legit.  Scammers are getting better and better at this stuff.

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