State Tax Agency Scam Phone Numbers
Numbers impersonating State Department of Revenue. Caller claims to be from a state revenue or franchise tax agency demanding immediate payment.
How the State Tax Agency Scam works
A localized variant of the IRS Scam, except the caller pretends to be from a state Department of Revenue, Franchise Tax Board, or Department of Taxation. The script is the same — an unpaid balance, immediate payment required, threats of liens or arrest. State revenue agencies follow the same multi-step written notification process as the IRS before any phone contact, and like the IRS, they do not accept payment by gift card.
Common pressure tactics
- State agency name spoofing
- Threats of state tax lien
- Demands gift card payment
- Fake state ID numbers
The script you'll usually hear
Most state tax agency calls open with one of three hooks: a fake "officer" or "agent" introducing themselves with a badge number, a recorded voice claiming an account or status has been frozen, or an aggressive demand to "respond within the hour" to avoid a consequence. The script then escalates pressure quickly. Recipients who push back are typically transferred to a "supervisor" who continues the same pitch with a slightly more authoritative tone — there is rarely a real second person on the line; it's almost always the same call-center agent putting on a different voice.
If you receive one of these calls
- Hang up. Do not "press 1" or stay on the line — both confirm a working number.
- Report it to the agency the caller pretended to be. For State Department of Revenue, find the agency's official complaint channel and forward the time of call, the spoofed caller-ID number, and any voicemail recording you have.
- Block the number on your device. If the calls keep coming from new numbers, consider a call-blocking app or the call-screening features your phone or carrier already offers.