Scams going around · Text messages
IRS tax refund text scam
Pretends to be the IRS or your state tax office. A text or email that seems to come from the IRS or your state tax office says your refund was “processed” or “approved.” It asks you to tap a link to “verify your identity.” Then it asks for your Social Security and bank account numbers. The scammer can use them to steal your refund or your identity.
An example of what it can look like
Not a real message: the details are made up.
(202) 555-0187
IRS Notice: Your federal tax refund has been processed and approved. To receive your refund, verify your identity and bank details today at irs-refund-verify.example. Refunds not verified within 24 hours will be placed on hold.
How to tell
- A text or email says your refund was “processed” or “approved.” The FTC says that is not how you find out about a real tax refund.
- It asks for your Social Security number, bank account number or other personal information. The FTC says the real IRS and state tax offices won’t reach out by text, email or social media to get your information.
- It came by text or email, and you never gave the IRS permission to text or email you. The IRS says it doesn’t send texts or emails without your permission, and it never sends direct messages on social media.
- It has a link that asks you to “verify your identity” so you can get your refund. The FTC says that is a phishing scam, a trick to get your personal information.
What to do
- Don’t reply, don’t tap the link, don’t open any attachment and don’t scan any QR code (a square barcode your phone camera can read).
- Never use the link in the message to check on a refund. For a federal refund, type irs.gov into your web browser yourself. For a state refund, type usa.gov into your web browser yourself to learn how to check.
- Report a text before you delete it. If it says it is from the IRS, email the IRS first, as shown under “Where to report it” below. Then use your phone’s “report junk” option or forward the text to 7726 (SPAM).
- For an email, report it first if it says it is from the IRS. Then mark it as spam or junk, and delete it.
- If you’re not sure, stop and talk it over with someone you trust before you do anything else.
If you already tapped, paid, called or replied
- Stop answering the scammer. Don’t send money or share any more personal information.
- If someone used your debit card or took money from your bank account, report it to your bank or credit union right away. Use the number on the back of your card, not one from the message.
- If someone has used your Social Security number, report it at IdentityTheft.gov. If it hasn't been used, or you aren't sure, go to IdentityTheft.gov/databreach.
- If your money or identity was stolen, the IRS says to report the fake message and follow its “If you were scammed” steps. Its page on fake messages links to them (see “Where this comes from” below).
How to check for real
For a federal refund, type irs.gov into your web browser yourself. Choose Refunds, then choose “Use refund tracker.” Or call the IRS automated refund line at 800-829-1954. For a state refund, type usa.gov into your web browser yourself to find out how to check.
Where to report it
- If the text says it is from the IRS, email phishing@irs.gov and type just the word Text as the subject line. Include the sender’s phone number, what the text said, your phone number, and the date, time and time zone you got it.
- For a fake IRS email, send it to phishing@irs.gov with just the letters IRS as the subject line. If your email program has a “Forward as attachment” option, use it.
- Forward the text to 7726 (SPAM), or use your phone’s “report junk” option.
- ReportFraud.ftc.gov, the Federal Trade Commission’s reporting site
Free guides that go with this
Check a message you got, free · Check a link
Where this comes from
Written from these official warnings, checked 2026-09-25. Lantern is not part of any organization named on this page.