COVID Tax Tip 2020-167: IRS warns people about a COVID-related text message scam

IRS Tax Tips December 8, 2020
Useful Links: IRS.gov Help For Hurricane Victims News Essentials What's Hot News Releases IRS - The Basics IRS Guidance Media Contacts Facts & Figures Around The Nation e-News Subscriptions The Newsroom Topics Multimedia Center Noticias en Español Radio PSAs Tax Scams/Consumer Alerts The Tax Gap Fact Sheets IRS Tax Tips Armed Forces Latest News IRS Resources Compliance & Enforcement News Contact Your Local IRS Office Filing Your Taxes Forms & Instructions Frequently Asked Questions Taxpayer Advocate Service Where to File IRS Social Media	Issue Number:  COVID Tax Tip 2020-167 IRS warns people about a COVID-related text message scam The IRS and its Security Summit partners are warning people to be aware of 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 doesn't 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.   More information: IRS Impersonation Scam Reporting Consumer Alerts Phone Scams Share this tip on social media -- #IRSTaxTip: IRS warns people about a COVID-related text message scam. https://go.usa.gov/x7M5A Back to Top         Thank you for subscribing to IRS Tax Tips, an IRS e-mail service. For more information on federal taxes please visit IRS.gov. This message was distributed automatically from the IRS Tax Tips mailing list. Please Do Not Reply To This Message.

 

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