Junk Mail Magic

Check a tax-debt relief advertisement

A postcard offering to settle tax debt may be a private sales offer, even if it looks official. Identify the seller and whether the claimed tax issue is federal or state. Check federal claims through the IRS and state claims through that state's tax agency, using contact details you find independently.

By Junk Mail Magic. Updated .

Separate the seller from the agency

  1. Find the company name in the return address or fine print. Copy it exactly, with the phone number, website and any amount or date the card mentions.
  2. Quote every claim of government involvement word for word, such as a named program, approval or agency.
  3. If it names you or a tax year, check the claimed issue through IRS.gov for federal taxes or the relevant state tax agency's official site for state taxes.
  4. Ask the relevant agency about the specific program or government relationship claimed on the card.

Two separate questions

The relevant tax agency can help check the claimed tax matter. Choosing whether to hire a private company is a separate decision. A sales card does not establish either the amount owed or the seller's claimed government relationship.

For federal tax, the IRS notes that some private collection correspondence is legitimate and follows IRS notices. A private name alone proves neither legitimacy nor fraud. Verify an apparent notice rather than treating every private tax mailing as optional advertising.

Private postcard worksheet

Example for your own use. Replace the bracketed details and review what you share.

Company named on card: [name] Phone or website printed: [contact] Government link claimed: [exact wording] Amount or date stated: [details] Federal or state agency route I used: [route] What the agency said: [answer, date] Written fee quote from seller: [amount or not requested] My decision: [keep checking / ask sender to stop / consider service]

Decide about the seller

Record the agency's answer first. If considering the service, ask the seller for written fees and a description of its work, and ask the agency about options available directly. A request to stop the seller's advertising does not address a verified tax deadline.

Official source

Verify a letter that claims to come from the IRSChoose between mail-fraud and delivery support routesPreserve a mailer after you paid a suspected scamSuspicious mailAll practical mail guides

Keep personal records with the organization that handles them

Junk Mail Magic is for ordinary unwanted advertising. Use the official contact route in this guide for records, account changes or someone else’s correspondence.

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