IRS Warns of Text Scam

On 11/4/2020, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), along with the state tax agencies and the tax industry, issued a warning of a new text scam that tricks people into disclosing bank account information under the guise of receiving the $1,200 Economic Impact Payment. According to the IRS release, the scam text message states: "You have received a direct deposit of $1,200 from COVID-19 TREAS FUND. Further action is required to accept this payment into your account. Continue here to accept this payment …" In addition, the text apparently includes a link to a fake phishing web address.

As explained by the IRS, the fake phishing URL, which appears to come from a state agency or relief organization, takes recipients to a fraudulent website that impersonates the IRS.gov Get My Payment website. Individuals who visit the fraudulent website and then enter their personal and financial account information will have their information collected by these scammers.

People who receive this text scam should take a screen shot of the text message that they received and then include the screenshot in an email to phishing@irs.gov with the following information:

  • Date/Time/Timezone that they received the text message

  • The number that appeared on their Caller ID

  • The number that received the text message

The full IRS release can be found here.

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