Phone calls about back taxes from offices the IRS does not have
Federal Trade CommissionNationwide
On January 15, 2026, the FTC said it was seeing a wave of calls about unpaid taxes. The callers are not the IRS. The alert gives examples of official-sounding names, including Tax Resolution Oversight Department and Tax Mediation and Resolution Agency. The caller says you have not paid your taxes and offers to connect you with a tax resolution officer who can run a red-flag check and enroll you in an IRS liability reduction program. Those are not real programs.
Some calls are voicemails that say this may be the only attempt to reach you, which is meant to make you call back. The aim is a Social Security number or an upfront fee for tax help that does not resolve the debt. The FTC says that even if you do owe taxes, the IRS first contacts you by mail, not by an unexpected phone call.
Red flags
- An unexpected call uses a name like Tax Resolution Oversight Department or Tax Mediation and Resolution Agency.
- You are offered a red-flag check or an IRS liability reduction program.
- A voicemail says this is the only attempt to reach you.
- The caller wants a Social Security number or an upfront fee to fix a tax bill.
How to protect yourself
- Hang up. Do not give personal or financial information to an unexpected caller.
- Check your tax situation at irs.gov and call only a phone number published on that site.
- Read how government impostor scams work. The FTC pointed readers to ftc.gov/imposters
- If you do owe taxes, get help through the IRS, not through a cold call.
If you are hit
- Report the call at reportfraud.ftc.gov
- If you shared a Social Security number or other personal details, go to identitytheft.gov
- If you paid a fee, ask the payment company whether it can be reversed and see consumer.ftc.gov/articles/what-do-if-you-were-scammed
Questions
Is Phone calls about back taxes from offices the IRS does not have a scam?
On January 15, 2026, the FTC said it was seeing a wave of calls about unpaid taxes. The callers are not the IRS. The alert gives examples of official-sounding names, including Tax Resolution Oversight Department and Tax Mediation and Resolution Agency. The caller says you have not paid your taxes and offers to connect you with a tax resolution officer who can run a red-flag check and enroll you in an IRS liability reduction program. Those are not real programs. This page summarizes a public warning from Federal Trade Commission dated January 15, 2026. The linked source is the record.
What should I do if I fell for it?
Report the call at https://reportfraud.ftc.gov. If you shared a Social Security number or other personal details, go to https://www.identitytheft.gov. If you paid a fee, ask the payment company whether it can be reversed and see https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/what-do-if-you-were-scammed.
Sources
- Hang up on unexpected calls saying you owe back taxes. Those are scamsFTC Consumer Advice
This summary is informational and not legal advice. If it and the linked source disagree, follow the source.
Related alerts
- Callers pretending the FTC will shut off your phone numberOctober 22, 2026
- Midterm pitches that sell donations, merchandise, or fake voter pagesOctober 15, 2026
- Calls from fake officers demanding payment to clear a crimeSeptember 17, 2026
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