The IRS does not send unsolicited emails or texts about tax refunds. Any such message is phishing. The IRS only contacts taxpayers through US mail, and all official IRS communications come from irs.gov.
About this scam type: Emails or texts about a pending tax refund from the IRS
ScamRadar verdict: scam · Risk score: 96/100
From: refunds@irs-tax-refund.gov Subject: Your $2,847.31 Tax Refund Is Ready for Direct Deposit Dear Taxpayer, our records show you have an unclaimed federal tax refund of $2,847.31. To process your direct deposit within 24 hours, verify your bank routing and account number, plus your Social Security number, here: [Claim Refund]
The IRS only uses irs.gov, sends refunds based on the bank info you provided on your filed return, and never emails about pending refunds. The .gov-lookalike domain is the trap.
If you submitted bank account information and Social Security number, immediately: place a free fraud alert and credit freeze with all three credit bureaus, file at IdentityTheft.gov for a personalized recovery plan, submit IRS Form 14039 to flag your tax record, file your tax return as early as possible to prevent fraudulent returns, and contact your bank to add fraud monitoring or change account numbers. Monitor your tax transcript at irs.gov/account weekly for the next several months for any unauthorized filings or changes. Report to TIGTA at tigta.gov/reportcrime, IRS at phishing@irs.gov with the original email headers, and FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
The IRS sends refunds only by direct deposit to the account you listed on your filed tax return, or by paper check mailed to your filing address. The IRS never emails about pending or unclaimed refunds. Real refund status is checked only at irs.gov/refunds (Where's My Refund tool) using your SSN, filing status, and exact refund amount from your filed return. If you have a real unclaimed refund, the IRS will mail you about it after several years (statute of limitations is 3 years from filing).
Never. The IRS contacts taxpayers exclusively by US Mail for initial contact. Real refunds are processed automatically based on the bank info on your filed tax return. Check refund status only at irs.gov/refunds.
Use the 'Where's My Refund' tool at irs.gov/refunds with your SSN, filing status, and exact refund amount. For unclaimed refunds from prior years, check irs.gov/individuals/unclaimed-refunds. If you don't find one, you don't have one.
Place a free fraud alert and credit freeze with all three bureaus, file at IdentityTheft.gov, file taxes early to prevent fraudulent returns, submit IRS Form 14039, and contact your bank to add fraud monitoring or change account numbers.
Some scammers actually send fake refund deposits (using stolen bank info to file fraudulent returns), then call victims pretending to be the IRS demanding the 'wrong refund' be returned via gift card or wire. Both the deposit and the recovery call are part of the scam — call the IRS directly at 1-800-829-1040 to verify any refund.
Forward the email to phishing@irs.gov, report to TIGTA at tigta.gov/reportcrime, and file at FTC reportfraud.ftc.gov. Include original email headers as evidence.
Last reviewed: 2026-06-24 by the ScamRadar editorial team. We update this page when scammer tactics change or when official agencies issue new guidance.
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