This is what a fake IRS phone call sounds like

Now is prime time for scammers calling and claiming to be the IRS, especially as we near the April 15 deadline for tax filing. 

If you’ve received a call from someone claiming to be from the IRS threatening you, don’t fall for it! The IRS will never threaten you or demand payment over the phone. According to the IRS, official IRS correspondence is sent through U.S. mail only.

Read more: The fake IRS phone scam is back!

Here is one example of what an IRS scam call sounds like:

‘Hello, we have been trying to reach you. This call is officially a final notice from IRS, Internal Revenue Service. The reason of this call is to inform you that the IRS is filing a lawsuit against you. To get more information about this case file, please call immediately on our department number, 561-902-5205, I repeat the number, 561-902-5205. Thank you.’

The IRS has provided the following tips if you receive a call like this:

• If you know you owe taxes or you think you might owe taxes, call the IRS at 1.800.829.1040. The IRS employees at that line can help you with a payment issue – if there really is such an issue.
• If you know you don’t owe taxes or have no reason to think that you owe any taxes (for example, you’ve never received a bill or the caller made some bogus threats as described above), then call and report the incident to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administrationat 1.800.366.4484.
• You can file a complaint using the FTC Complaint Assistant; choose “Other” and then “Imposter Scams.” If the complaint involves someone impersonating the IRS, include the words “IRS Telephone Scam” in the notes.

But for certain, this is what you should do if you ever receive one of these calls: Hang up the phone!