I received a message. I could not tell if it was recorded . " garbled, mumbledIRS. We have been trying to reach you. This is to inform you that the IRS has filed a lawsuit against you. To get more information about this case, please call our number 425-296-1450."

I started calling that number 5 minutes later. There is no answer. No announcement of any sort. ("You have reached the Internal Revenue Services customer service" blah, blah, blah ). I called ten times and got nothing except ringing. No phone tree. No way to leave a message.

I doubt that the IRS does not have an 800 number. And they have left no other messages. And, I am sure there would be an official letter of some sort. You dont serve people legal notice with a phone message. The IRS has my email address from my returns.
Also, they left me no case#,  or agent to refer to.

This does not sound credible to me. But finally someone answered "internal revenue service". The connection was so bad, it sounded like she was at a party. All I could here was 100 other people talking. She asked for my phone #. I kept yelling that I couldn't hear her. A man cam on and asked for my number and then put me on hold to get my case information. I could still hear other people shouting and talking even while on hold. Then we got disconnected. No one gave me their name.

Is this number from the IRS?

Short answer - SCAM!!!!   It is NOT the IRS - but a scammer in India or Pakistan.  Don't bother returning the call.

The real IRS mails letters if here is a problem.

That's my gut feeling, too. Thanks for the support.

The regulars  on 800notes are always happy to help!!