Scammers frequently take advantage of tax season in the United States to trick people by making fictitious claims of automated payments. Text messages purporting to be from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) alerting users to a $1,400 check as part of a special return are among the most recent scams. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has cautioned that these mails are attempts to steal financial and personal information and are not authentic.
According to confirmation from the IRS, SMS messages are not used to report refunds or payments. Its main means of communication with taxpayers is still postal mail. In rare circumstances, calls or texts might be made, but only if the individual has previously given their consent through formal means.
How the fraud operates
Scammers send messages purporting to be from the Internal Revenue Service, stating that the recipient qualifies to receive a check for $1,400 as part of an economic impact payment. They add a link in the text that takes users to a phony website that imitates the IRS page. Sensitive information, like credit card numbers, financial information, and Social Security numbers, is sought for.
It is crucial to keep in mind that, based on the information previously submitted to the IRS, the IRS will either send the payment by physical check or automated direct deposit if the individual qualifies for it. Under no circumstances will the agency request personal information via text message, email, or phone call.
What to do if you get an IRS suspicious message
If you get a text message claiming you are entitled to a check for $1,400, do not click on any links or download any attachments.The best course of action is to either classify the message as “spam” or “phishing,” depending on your phone’s settings, or delete it right away.
Additionally, you can report the scam by doing the following:
- For the IRS to look into the suspicious message, forward it to phishing@irs.gov.
- Use the BBB platform to report it at BBB.org/ScamTracker.
Information is the best defense against these scams. Keep an eye out and keep in mind that the IRS will not SMS you to let you know about payments or refunds. If in doubt, confirm the legitimacy of any correspondence by visiting the IRS’s official website.