Is it really IRS?
Official IRS domains, how well they block forged email, lookalike domains we found, and the scams currently using the IRS name. The first automated check is queued.
Official IRS domains
irs.govReal IRS emails and websites use these domains or a subdomain of them. Anything else, including addresses that contain the IRS name, is not IRS.
Paste the sender's email address, the link, or the website from the message.
Measured from public DNS
Can someone fake a IRS email?
The first email security check for IRS is queued and will appear here shortly.
Lookalike domain watch
Domains that imitate IRS
The first lookalike scan for IRS is queued and will appear here shortly.
Know the pattern
Scams using the IRS name
The IRS says it does not start contact with taxpayers by email, text message or social media to request personal or financial information.
Government impersonation uses fear: refunds you are owed, penalties you must pay today, or legal action.
A tax refund is waiting
A message says you are owed a refund and asks for bank or card details so it can be paid.
Pay now or face legal action
You are told you owe money or face arrest unless you pay immediately, often by gift card, wire transfer or crypto.
Unpaid toll, fine or vehicle tax
A text says you owe a small toll, fine or tax and must pay through a link today.
From people who received them
Reported IRS scam messages
No reports published for IRS yet. If you received one, sharing it helps the next person recognise it.
Step by step
How to check a message that claims to be from IRS
- 1
Look at the actual sender address, not just the name. Tap or hover over the name to reveal it. It must end in @irs.gov, or a subdomain of one.
- 2
Do not use links or phone numbers from the message. Type irs.gov into your browser or open the official IRS app, and check your account there.
- 3
Slow down when you see urgency, small fees, gift cards, crypto, or requests for codes and passwords. Those are the levers every scam pulls.
- 4
Still unsure? Paste the sender address or link into the checker above.
Questions
IRS scam FAQ
What email address does IRS use?
Genuine IRS email comes from addresses ending in @irs.gov, or a subdomain of those (for example something@mail.irs.gov). An address on any other domain, even one containing "irs", is not IRS.
Can scammers fake an @irs.gov email address?
We are running the first check on irs.gov. Until then, assume a sender address alone proves nothing and verify by visiting irs.gov yourself.
Are there websites pretending to be IRS?
Our first lookalike scan for IRS is queued. Check back shortly.
What should I do if I clicked a link in a fake IRS message?
Do not enter anything else. If you typed a password, change it at irs.gov straight away and turn on two-step sign-in. If you entered card or bank details, call your bank using the number on your card. Then report the message using the guide below.
Help stop it
Where to report a fake IRS message
United Kingdom
- Forward suspicious emails to report@phishing.gov.uk
- Forward scam texts to 7726
United States
- Report to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov
- Forward phishing emails to reportphishing@apwg.org
- Forward scam texts to 7726 (SPAM)
Canada
- Report to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca
- Forward scam texts to 7726
Australia
- Report to Scamwatch at scamwatch.gov.au
- Report cybercrime through ReportCyber at cyber.gov.au
India
- Report at cybercrime.gov.in or call the 1930 helpline
Germany
- Forward phishing emails to the Phishing-Radar at phishing@verbraucherzentrale.nrw
Switzerland
- Report phishing websites at antiphishing.ch
Anywhere
- Report phishing websites to Google Safe Browsing at safebrowsing.google.com
- Tell the company through its official website or app
Government & Tax
Check other companies
Orbiplot is not affiliated with IRS. This page is generated automatically from public data: DNS records, domain registration data (RDAP) and the Internet Archive. Lookalike domains are listed because they resemble IRS's name, not because we have confirmed any wrongdoing. If you own a domain listed here and believe it is misclassified, contact us through the site and we will review it.