<prompt> Human: Read an interesting article today hereBasically, the IRSs initial method of contact is by letter. Theyll never call you threatening to throw you in jail or ask you to pay a certain amount immediately. Though, reports of calls like this are on the rise. While I doubt its a problem for most savvy individuals in rpersonalfinance, please share this with some less financial-savvy individuals you may know parents, grandparents, siblings, friends, etc. so as to hopefully avoid them to falling prey to these scammers.---Edit: I removed a section above as a few people have heatedly claimed to have received calls from the actual IRS. Also, I want to make it clear that Im in no way claiming that the IRS will never use a call as a method of contacting you.From what I could find on the IRS websiteNote that the IRS will never: 1 call to demand immediate payment, nor will the agency call about taxes owed without first having mailed you a bill; 2 demand that you pay taxes without giving you the opportunity to question or appeal the amount they say you owe; 3 require you to use a specific payment method for your taxes, such as a prepaid debit card; 4 ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone; or 5 threaten to bring in local police or other law-enforcement groups to have you arrested for not paying.However, according to the article linked to above, the current IRS Commissioner John Koskinen was stated as saying the following:If you are surprised to be hearing from us, you are not hearing from us, Koskinen said. Our way of contacting you is by letter.Also, at least one comment by a popular contributor here in the sub who actually works for the IRS corroborates this stated policy. Ultimate point being: be cautious and question unsolicited calls asking you for your personal financial information over the phone, be it supposedly the IRS real or fake or anyone else. Share this info with people who could be susceptible to this type of scam, so as to avoid them getting scammed.  <response>: Or troll them and waste their time if you have time ; 