There is a new text scam designed to trick taxpayers into disclosing their bank account information under the guise of receiving the $1,200 economic impact payment (EIP). As a reminder, the IRS does not text taxpayers. The scam text message 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 …" followed by a link to a fake phishing web address.
"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," said IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig. The IRS recommends taxpayers who receive this and similar scam texts to (1) take a screenshot of the text message and (2) include the screenshot in an email to phishing@irs.gov with:
date/time/timezone of the text message;
the number that appeared on their Caller ID; and
the number that received the text message.
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