Government impersonation

Is the IRS tax refund email a scam?

Quick answer

Yes — the IRS does not email taxpayers about refunds. Ever. Real IRS communications about refunds happen via direct deposit (if you set it up) or paper check by mail. Any email claiming you have an unclaimed refund and asking you to click a link is phishing.

Red flags to look for

1
Sender domain is not @irs.gov — common fakes: irs-refunds.us, irs.taxservice.com, refundprocessing-irs.net
2
Asks for your SSN, date of birth, and bank info to 'release' the refund
3
Urgency: 'claim within 24 hours or refund expires'
4
Logo and formatting look professional
5
Refund amount is specific and oddly plausible (e.g., $1,847.30)

Real examples

Internal Revenue Service — Tax Refund Notification. You are eligible for a refund of $2,374.85. To process, verify your information here: irs-refundclaim.gov-us.com. Refund expires within 24 hours.

Likely Scam

Real IRS domain is irs.gov — anything else is fake. Refunds don't expire. Personal info shouldn't be re-submitted via email link. Pattern is universal to phishing.

What to do

Don't tap any link.
If you want to check refund status, go directly to irs.gov/refunds and use 'Where's My Refund.'
Forward IRS phishing emails to phishing@irs.gov.
Delete and block.
If you entered info on a fake page: file an identity theft report at identitytheft.gov and place a credit freeze.

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Why scammers use this approach

Tax refund scams spike every tax season and never go away. Most Americans expect a refund, so the message feels plausible. SSN + DOB + bank account = a complete identity-theft kit ready for resale on the dark web.

Frequently asked questions

How does the IRS contact me about my refund?

By direct deposit (silent) or paper check by mail. Sometimes an automated phone update if you opted in. Never by email or text.