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IRS Identity Theft Phone Number: Live Human Help

Thomas Maxon, CEO & Co-founder of Claimyr | last updated: 11/04/2023

Have you been dialing the IRS customer service phone line (800) 908-4490 to reach a human? This guide covers how to call and reach a live human at the IRS regarding identity theft. Also, we provide you with a guaranteed way to speak with an agent within a few hours.

Calling the IRS Identity Theft Phone Number

Table of contents

How to call the IRS Identity Theft phone number and speak with a human using a shortcut

Use the widget below to find out the best times, how to call, and a guaranteed method to reach a live IRS customer service agent regarding identity theft. If it's too hard to call the IRS phone number below, you can place an IRS Identity Theft call here to guarantee you reach a human.

If you want to reach a different department, check out this complete list of IRS phone numbers to find the right department for your needs.

If you have been the victim of identity theft and need assistance on this issue read our guide on IRS taxpayer protection phone number or for verification issues, our IRS Identity verification phone number guide can point you to the right person to speak with.

If your identity theft case involves complex tax issues that haven't been resolved through regular channels, you may benefit from additional support; in such cases, Contact the IRS Taxpayer Advocate Service for assistance with unresolved tax issues to get specialized help.

How can I speak to a live person at the IRS?

There are two methods to reach a live person:

  • 1.) by calling manually over and over again, get on a long hold, and then hope the call doesn't drop -- and I'll show you how to do that,
  • 2.) use a calling tool that dials for you, stays on hold, and forwards a call to your phone number when an agent is on the line. (RECOMMENDED)

If you require more personalized assistance or have complex tax issues that can't be resolved over the phone, you might consider visiting an IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center; for details on locations and how to schedule an appointment, Get in-person help with tax issues at an IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center.

Option 1 (SLOW): call manually - time to a human rep = 2+ hours.

Below is the best way to dial through their menu faster:

Dial (800) 908-4490

  • Step 1: wait 3 seconds
  • Step 2: press 1
  • Step 3: wait 3 seconds
  • Step 4: press 2
  • Step 5: wait 3 seconds
  • Step 6: press 3
  • Step 7: wait 8 seconds

At this point, the IRS will either tell you they're too busy to take your call or you'll be put on hold.

If you've followed these steps and are still experiencing long wait times, or if you're calling because you suspect you're a victim of tax-related identity theft, you may want to Reach out for support for additional guidance and assistance.'.

Option 2 (FAST): use a call app - time to a human rep = 5-40 min.

By far the fastest option is to use software. Robots are simply better at this task than humans ever can be.

  • Step 1: head to Claimyr
  • Step 2: select/search for "IRS Identity Theft"
  • Step 3: pay for Claimyr to call for you (yes it's a paid version, but it honestly works very well. You can research Claimyr before buying to be sure)
  • Step 4: kick back, relax, and wait for your phone to ring with an IRS agent on the line!

If you find yourself unable to pay your taxes in full, you can also use Claimyr to set up a payment plan with the IRS, ensuring you get the assistance you need without the long wait times.

IRS hours of operation

The IRS is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time.

If you find yourself needing assistance outside of the standard IRS hours of operation and you owe taxes, you may want to Contact the IRS collections department if you owe taxes and need to discuss payment options.

What is the best time to call the IRS regarding identity theft?

Do not call during these times (unless you are using Claimyr, which then you can order a callback 24/7 Monday - Sunday):

  • 👎 Monday mornings
  • 👎 After 5 pm on any day
  • 👎 Friday afternoons (as you'll likely not solve your issue until the following week)

But again, if you are using Claimyr's automated callback tool, then you will be able to place a call literally anytime during the day and get a callback soon after.

The best time to call the IRS is Wednesday and Thursday afternoons. ⚠️WARNING⚠️: please beware that you often need to dedicate an entire day to dialing over and over just to get on hold. Also, the IRS is notorious for dropping calls even when you finally do get on hold! So if you decide to start calling mid-week, due to excessive call volume, you may not be able to reach an agent until the following week or longer.

If you don't consider calling the IRS regarding tax return transcript a full-time profession, consider using a calling tool such as Claimyr to guarantee a callback with an agent on the line with zero hold time.