"IRS" called. They threatened arrest. I paid.

A robocall said IRS / HMRC had filed a case against me for unpaid taxes and that officers were on the way unless I paid immediately.

The voice sounded calm and referenced federal or national penalties.

They demanded gift cards, wire, or crypto and stayed on the line while I drove toward a shop.

I paid one card load before a cashier asked if someone was coaching me on the phone.

Tax impersonation scams use threats and urgency.

Real tax agencies do not demand gift cards, threaten instant arrest by phone, or refuse to let you verify through official channels.

While they talked I was afraid of arrest and deportation language they mixed in; challenging them felt dangerous.

I called the published tax office number from .gov; the agent said no case existed in my name and the call I had received was known fraud.

The money on the cards was gone; filing police and IRS / HMRC fraud reports took an evening I had planned to spend quietly.

I hang up on every threatening tax call and verify only through official web portals or letters I can confirm.

• IRS / HMRC do not take gift cards or crypto for tax debt.
• Report impersonation to TIGTA / HMRC phishing teams and local police.

For more help, see our Report a scam page and Spot and avoid scams guide.