The IRS has
issued a warning about a new text message scam. The thief’s goal is to trick
people into revealing bank account information under the guise of receiving the
$1,200 Economic Impact Payment.
Here’s how this scam works
People get
a text message saying they have “received a direct deposit of $1,200 from
COVID-19 TREAS FUND. Further action is required to accept this payment…
Continue here to accept this payment …” The text includes a link to a
phishing web address.
This fake link
appears to come from a state agency or relief organization. It takes people to
a fake website that looks like the IRS.gov Get My Payment website. If people visit the fake website
and enter their personal and financial account information, the scammers
collect it.
Here’s what people should do if they receive this message
Anyone who
receives this scam text should take a screenshot and include the screenshot in
an email to phishing@irs.gov
with the following information:
- Date/time/time zone that they received the text message
- The phone number that received the text message
The IRS does not send unsolicited texts or emails. The agency will never demand immediate payment using a gift card, prepaid debit card or wire transfer or threaten to have a taxpayer arrested.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Crosslin tax team. We are here to help!
