The Internal Revenue Service cautions taxpayers about a new scam involving deceptive notices indicating that the IRS owes the taxpayer a refund.

Taxpayers are receiving a cardboard envelope from a delivery service. There is an enclosed letter that appears to provide the taxpayer with official IRS contact information and a phone number. These malicious letters, however, are not from the IRS. The scam notice states that it is “in relation to your unclaimed refund.”

The letter among other things seeks sensitive personal information from taxpayers including detailed pictures of driver’s licenses and sensitive financial information. The information can be used by identity thieves.

Know that the IRS will never:

1. Call to demand immediate payment using a specific payment method such as a prepaid debit card, gift card or wire transfer. Generally, the IRS will first mail a bill to any taxpayer who owes taxes;
2. Threaten to immediately bring in local police or other law enforcement groups to have the taxpayer arrested for not paying;
3. Demand that taxes be paid without giving taxpayers the opportunity to question or appeal the amount owed; or
4. Call unexpectedly about a tax refund.

If you want to learn more or are concerned about a recent letter you received, please contact your tax accountant or report to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA). You can report IRS scams online or by calling TIGTA at 1-800-366-4484.