Even mailed letters can be faked. Here's how a real IRS notice looks vs a fake — paste yours for an instant read.
Quick answer — Find the CP/LTR number and look it up in your IRS.gov account, or call the IRS using a number from their official site — never the number on a suspicious letter.
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What a real notice has
A notice/letter number (CP### or LTR####), a specific tax year and form, a clear explanation, your right to question or appeal, and payment directed to the U.S. Treasury — verifiable in your IRS.gov account.
Fake-letter red flags
No CP/LTR number, urgent threats, odd payee, demands for gift cards, or a phone/website that isn't IRS.gov. Verify before paying anything.
If you already paid or shared your info
Don't panic — acting quickly limits the damage. Do these now:
Paid by gift card, wire, prepaid card, or crypto? Contact the issuer or service right away — some payments can still be stopped — and keep the receipts.
Gave your SSN or bank details? Start a recovery plan at IdentityTheft.gov and consider a credit freeze with the three bureaus.
Report the impersonation to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov, and (for IRS impersonation) to TIGTA at tigta.gov.
Remember: a real agency would not have demanded gift cards or threatened arrest — so it's safe to stop and verify before doing anything more.
FAQ
How do I verify an IRS letter is real?
Find the CP/LTR number and look it up in your IRS.gov account, or call the IRS using a number from their official site — never the number on a suspicious letter.
Official sources
This guidance is compiled from official U.S. government sources. For your specific situation, verify directly:
Is This Real?