IRS Warns of Text Scam
November 9, 2020
The IRS, state tax agencies and the tax industry issued a warning Wednesday, Nov. 4, of a new text scam that tricks people into disclosing bank account information under the guise of receiving their economic impact payments.
The scam text message, according to the IRS, 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 …" The text includes a link to a fake phishing website.
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’s Get My Payment website.
The IRS advises taxpayers who receive this text scam to email a screenshot of the message with detailed information to phishing@irs.gov. Please we watchful and alert for these fraudulent text messages.