Scammers don’t just hope you’ll fall for their tricks; they engineer them with precision. In late 2025, IRS relief payment scams have become disturbingly sophisticated, blending real IRS terminology, current events, and psychological pressure to make even cautious people second-guess themselves. Here are the most common tactics being used right now and exactly how they’re designed to hook you.
1. The “Unclaimed 2025 Stimulus” or “Tariff Dividend” Text/Email Blast
- How it looks: A text or email claiming you’re owed a $1,400 “catch-up” payment, $2,000 “inflation relief deposit,” or a brand-new “Trump Tariff Dividend” hitting accounts this month.
- The hook: Uses urgent language like “Final Notice – Deposit Expires in 48 Hours” and includes a realistic-looking link (irs-refund2025.net, treasurydirect-gov.com, etc.).
- Reality check: The IRS ended all COVID-era stimulus payments years ago, and no tariff dividend program exists as of December 2025. The IRS will never text or email you an unsolicited link to claim money.
2. Fake IRS Social Media & YouTube Ads
- How it looks: Targeted ads on Facebook, Instagram Reels, TikTok, and YouTube promising “NEW 2025 IRS Direct Deposit – Up to $6,800” or “Secret Credit Most Americans Don’t Know About.”
- The hook: Features actors in suits, fake IRS logos, and testimonials from “real people” who supposedly got $3,900+ deposited last week. Ends with “Click below before the deadline.”
- Reality check: These ads lead to paid “tax relief” companies that file bogus Schedule C forms claiming massive (and fraudulent) Sick & Family Leave Credits or Fuel Tax Credits.
3. The Phone Call Impersonation Upgrade (Now with AI Voices)
- How it looks: Caller ID spoofed as “IRS Washington DC” or “Treasury Department.” The voice sounds exactly like a calm, authoritative agent (many now use AI voice cloning).
- The hook: They already know your name, last four of SSN, and address (harvested from data breaches). They say a $2,000+ relief deposit was “attempted but rejected” because of an old address or banking issue, and you must “verify” via a quick form or payment app.
- Reality check: The IRS never calls demanding immediate verification or payment. If they need to reach you, it starts with a mailed letter (CP series or Letter 4883C).
4. The Fake Check + Overpayment Trick
- How it looks: You receive an unexpected “relief” check for $4,800–$9,700 with a letter saying it’s an advance on your 2025 refund or disaster relief.
- The hook: You’re instructed to deposit it, then wire back the “excess” (usually $2,000–$3,000) to a “processing agent” via Bitcoin ATM or gift cards because of an “accounting error.”
- Reality check: The check is counterfeit. It may clear initially due to bank holds, but bounces days later, leaving you liable for the full amount you wired.
5. The “Third-Party Designee” Data Harvest
- How it looks: A website or flyer offers to “check your eligibility for free” for new 2025 relief programs. You fill out a form with SSN, birthdate, and banking info “just to see if you qualify.”
- The hook: They instantly approve everyone and say the money will hit your account in 3–5 days after you pay a small “IRS filing fee” ($199–$499).
- Reality check: You just handed identity thieves everything they need to file fake tax returns, open credit lines, or drain existing refunds.
6. The Disaster-Relief Doppelgänger
- How it looks: After hurricanes or wildfires, scammers launch fake charity sites and texts saying “FEMA + IRS Emergency Direct Deposit Program – Get up to $10,000 instantly.”
- The hook: Uses real disaster declaration language and promises no paperwork because it’s “automatic federal aid.”
- Reality check: FEMA and IRS disaster relief require formal applications through official channels only (DisasterAssistance.gov and IRS.gov disaster tax relief pages).
Current Hot Bait Phrases Being Used Right Now (December 2025)
- “2025 One-Time Inflation Adjustment Payment”
- “Tariff Revenue Rebate – $2,000 per household”
- “Final Recovery Rebate Credit Wave”
- “Emergency Direct Deposit for Social Security recipients”
- “New Executive Order 14122 Relief Deposit”
If you see any of these phrases attached to an unsolicited message or ad, it’s 100% a scam.
The bottom line: Scammers succeed when they mix a tiny grain of truth (a real-sounding program name or current headline) with massive urgency and an easy “solution.” In 2025, the most dangerous scams are the ones that feel timely and official. Your best defense is simple: the IRS will never ask you to click a link, send a gift card, or give personal information over the phone to receive money you didn’t already apply for through a filed tax return.
Stay sharp, verify everything at IRS.gov, and forward suspicious messages to phishing@irs.gov.