Is a text from HMRC or the IRS threatening arrest real?
No. Tax authorities do not threaten arrest by text or phone. This is a government-impersonation scam.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Explanation
Tax-authority impersonation scams — posing as HMRC, the IRS, the ATO, or similar bodies — use fear of arrest, prosecution, or account seizure to pressure victims into paying fictitious tax debts immediately via phone, gift card, or wire transfer. Real tax agencies communicate primarily by post, follow structured legal processes, and never demand immediate payment by gift card or cryptocurrency.
The urgency and threat of immediate arrest are deliberate psychological tools. Legitimate tax investigations involve formal notices, the right to legal representation, and appeals processes. If you receive such a message, contact the real tax authority directly using a number from their official website.
Common red flags
- Threatening arrest, prosecution, or account seizure via text or an automated call
- Demand for immediate payment — often by gift card, crypto, or wire
- Caller ID appears to show the tax authority's real number (can be spoofed)
- Instruction not to tell anyone or hang up
- Offer to 'settle' immediately for a smaller amount
- You are asked to stay on the line while you go to the shop to buy gift cards
What to do now
- Hang up or delete the message
- Contact your real tax authority using a number from their official website
- Do not pay anything via gift card, crypto, or wire on the basis of such a call
- Report the scam to your tax authority and national fraud service
- If you already paid, contact your bank immediately
Frequently asked questions
What if I do owe tax? Could this be real?
Even if you have outstanding tax, the real authority will not contact you by automated call threatening immediate arrest and demanding gift cards. Contact your tax authority independently to check your account status.
The caller knows my name and partial National Insurance / SSN number. Is that proof?
No. Personal details are widely available from data breaches. Knowing your details does not make a caller genuine.