{"success":true,"data":{"id":"fake-irs-tax-debt-collection-scam","label":"Fake IRS tax debt collection scam — outstanding tax liability + federal arrest warrant + pay via gift cards / wire transfer / prepaid debit card to avoid prosecution","description":"Email impersonating the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or a \"tax collection agency\" claiming the recipient has an outstanding tax liability, back taxes, or a criminal tax fraud case — then threatening arrest, wage seizure, or bank account levy unless immediate payment is made via iTunes gift cards, Google Play cards, wire transfer, or prepaid debit cards. The IRS only contacts taxpayers via US mail (never unsolicited email), never threatens immediate arrest for tax debt, and never accepts gift cards as payment. FBI IC3 2024: IRS impersonation scams reported 26,000+ complaints with $96M in losses; the IRS publishes a \"Dirty Dozen\" scams list each year listing phone/email impersonation as the perennial #1 threat. Hallmarks include fake case numbers, threats of \"local law enforcement dispatch,\" and demands to \"call our tax resolution specialist\" within hours.","tier":"danger","category":"scam","isThin":false}}