Beware of COVID-Related Text Scams

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On Wednesday, November 4, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released a warning about a new text scam involving a $1,200 Economic Impact Payment. The goal of this scam is to gain bank account information from taxpayers.

The text message includes a message such as “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 phishing web address.

If you suspect that you may have received a fraudulent communication from somebody imitating the IRS, please reach out to phishing@irs.gov. You can also report suspected scams at irs.gov.

For more details, click here to read the IRS release in full.