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

Internal Revenue Service (IRS) sent this bulletin at 12/08/2020 10:32 AM EST

IRS Tax Tips

December 8, 2020

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

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.

Update your subscriptions, modify your password or email address, or stop subscriptions at any time on your Subscriber Preferences Page. You will need to use your email address to log in. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please contact subscriberhelp.govdelivery.com.

This service is provided to you at no charge by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

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

Useful Links:

News Essentials

The Newsroom Topics

IRS Resources

Issue Number: COVID Tax Tip 2020-167