Scams

Do not reply to text messages, download attachments, or click on any links in texts or emails if you’re not sure they’re genuine. View our Text messaging page to verify when FTB texts and what information we send.

FTB offers a variety of payment options including direct pay from your bank account via our Web Pay service (free), online credit card payments (subject to fees), and payment plans for eligible taxpayers (subject to fees).

Taxpayers should be aware of third-party online bill payment companies that may offer other ways for taxpayers to make online bill payments. Some of these companies may charge excessive fees and may not ensure timely payments. Some may also have websites designed to suggest they are affiliated with FTB when they are not.

All of FTB's payment options are described on our payment options page. Your FTB account balance is subject to accruing interest and applicable penalties until paid in full.

Overview

Scammers sometimes pretend to be government officials to get you to send them money or access your information.

The main types of scams are through:

Email
Mail
Phone
Text messaging
Websites

Typically, we contact you by mail several times prior to contacting you directly by phone or in person.

Report a scam

Phone: 800-852-5711
Weekdays, 8 AM to 5 PM
Online: Use our Fraud Referral Report

Types of scams

You should be suspicious of anyone that contacts you and:

Asks for passwords for your credit cards, bank account, bank debit card, MyFTB account, email account, personal or business accounts.
Threatens to contact law-enforcement to have you arrested if a tax debt is not paid.
Demands payment by third-party issued or pre-paid debit cards. We do not accept these forms of payment.
Claims that there is a problem with your account. Our agents already have access to your account information and will explain the nature and details of your tax or nontax debt.

Email

If you receive a suspicious email that claims to be from us requesting personal information, it may be a phishing email. Phishing emails look legitimate because they often use real logos and phone numbers. Delete it from your inbox and your trash folder.

Commonly requested information in a phishing email may include:

Social security number
Username
Password
Credit card or bank account numbers
Wage withholding
Employee payroll

The email may also direct you to a fake website. Once you enter your personal information, it can be used to steal your identity.

Mail

If you receive a letter by mail that claims to be from us requesting personal information, it may be a scam. View our letters page to verify the notices we send. If you would like additional verification, contact us.

Phone

Phone scams are the most common method used to scam taxpayers. Phone scams involve a caller claiming to be associated with us.

The caller may:

Say you owe taxes
Demand payment and ask for the payment to be made through a pre-paid card, even staying on the phone with you while you go to purchase one
Threaten to contact law-enforcement to:
- Have you arrested
- Suspend your license
- Have you deported

Text messaging

If you receive a suspicious or unsolicited text message claiming to be from FTB, do not respond or click on any links, as the text may be a phishing scam.

A phishing text may ask for:

Usernames
Passwords
Payment
Credit and debit card numbers
Banking information
PINs
Social security number

FTB does not send text messages asking for personal or financial information or account numbers.

View our Text messaging page to verify when FTB texts and what information we send.

How to spot text scam

Scammers send text messages saying that a California tax refund will expire soon if action is not taken now. The message then includes a link to a fake website which is trying to steal personal information.

You receive text message

Screenshot of a fake text message from FTB about expiring refunds

Fake text message about expiring refunds.