IRS Offers Tips to Avoid Coronavirus-Related Tax Scams

Disaster Response
Published

The Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration has established a dedicated web page where individuals can report coronavirus-related tax scams.

In order to avoid falling victim to fraudulent individuals either impersonating or claiming to represent the IRS, the inspector general offers the following tips to taxpayers:

  • The IRS will generally first contact people by mail, not by telephone, about tax-related matters.
  • If the IRS does contact you by telephone, they will not insist on any pre-payment using an iTunes card, gift card, prepaid debit card, money order, or wire transfer, in order to receive economic impact payments.
  • The IRS also will never request personal or financial information by e-mail, text, letters, or any social media.

If you do receive a call or e-mail from someone claiming to be with the IRS asking for a pre-payment or for your personal or financial information in order to receive economic impact payments connected with the coronavirus pandemic, please report it here.

For the latest NAHB news and business resources, visit nahb.org/coronavirus.

Subscribe to NAHBNow

Log in or create account to subscribe to notifications of new posts.

Log in to subscribe

Latest from NAHBNow

Membership

Feb 06, 2026

A Message from Jim Chapman, Candidate for NAHB 2026 Third Vice Chairman

The election for Third Vice Chairman will take place at the Leadership Council meeting during the 2026 International Builders' Show.

Codes and Standards

Feb 06, 2026

Learn About the 2024 IECC in Free Video Series for NAHB Members

NAHB is now offering members a free educational video series on the 2024 International Energy Conservation Code. The videos break down key differences between the 2024 IECC and past editions, focusing on changes that improve usability and what they mean for construction costs.

View all

Latest Economic News

Economics

Feb 06, 2026

The Size of the Housing Shortage: 2024 Data

Persistently low homeowner and rental vacancy rates indicate that the U.S. housing market remains structurally undersupplied.

Economics

Feb 05, 2026

Job Openings Fall as Labor Market Weakens

Running counter to the data for the full economy, the count of open, unfilled positions in the construction industry increased in December, per the delayed Bureau of Labor Statistics Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS). The current level of open jobs is down measurably from two years ago due to declines in construction activity, particularly in housing.

Economics

Feb 04, 2026

Mortgage Rates Declined Despite Higher Treasury Yields

Long-term mortgage rates continued to decline in January. According to Freddie Mac, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.10% last month, 9 basis points (bps) lower than December. Meanwhile, the 15-year rate declined 4 bps to 5.44%. Compared to a year ago, the 30-year rate is lower by 86 bps. The 15-year rate is also lower by 72 bps.