While negotiations for a second direct stimulus payment drag on, the IRS has a warning about a new coronavirus-related text scam.
Thieves are working to trick people into disclosing bank account information under the guise of receiving a $1,200 Economic Impact Payment, the IRS said in a statement.
“Criminals are relentlessly using COVID-19 and Economic Impact Payments as cover to try to trick taxpayers out of their money or identities,” IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig said. “This scam is a new twist on those we’ve been seeing much of this year. We urge people to remain alert to these types of scams.”
The scam involves a text message that says: “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 …” The text includes a link to a fake phishing web address.
The phishing URL, which appears to come from a state agency or relief organization, redirects recipients to a fraudulent website that impersonates IRS.gov Get My Payment website. Individuals who visit the fraudulent website and then their personal and financial account info risk having that data collected by scammers.
People who receive the texts should take a screen shot of the text message and include it in an email to phishing@irs.gov with the following information:
- Date/Time/Time zone that they received the text message
- The number that appeared on their Caller ID
- The number that received the text message
The IRS reminds people that neither taxpayers nor state agencies will ever text taxpayers asking for bank account information. The IRS does not send unsolicited texts or emails or call people with threats of jail or demand payments on gift cards, the agency said.
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November 13, 2020 at 01:52AM
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Stimulus checks: IRS warns of scam promising $1,200 coronavirus payment - AL.com
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