IRS Warns Of New COVID-19 Stimulus Check Scam
It's been nearly a year since the COVID-19 pandemic hit us in the United States but scams relating to the pandemic haven't gone anywhere.
The IRS is warning everyone about the latest scam relating to the pandemic that has been circulating around the country. According to their statement on the matter, scammers have been sending out a text, acting as someone from the government promising economic relief in the midst of the pandemic. The text reads as follows:
"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 …"
From there, the scammers send out a link which leads their victim to a fake website, which is then used to get each person's personal information. The website looks like it is actually that of the IRS, however it is not.
Keep in mind, the Internal Revenue Service says they will never text or email anyone, including the target in this case: the taxpayers. They will also never ask for any banking information either or for payment in any way, shape or form. As mentioned, COVID-19 scams are nothing new but the IRS says this one is different than any others that have been reported this year.
If you get a text message like this, you are asked to screenshot it and send it to the IRS so they can try to get to the bottom of things. In the meantime, try to keep up to date with scams going on anywhere, especially in your area, so you don't become a victim of one.