The Internal Revenue Service is warning taxpayers of a new scam that uses promise of a stimulus payment to get bank information.
According to the IRS, scammers are texting individuals asking for their bank account information. The scammers claim they need the back account info to set up a direct deposit. The text message the scammers send includes a URL that takes the victim to a phishing site that collects their information.
“Criminals are relentlessly using COVID-19 and Economic Impact Payments as cover to try to trick taxpayers out of their money or identities,” said IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig. “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.”
The IRS also reminds individuals that it never sends unsolicited texts or emails. In addition, anyone receiving one of these text messages should take a screenshot of it and email it to [email protected]. The email should include the date, time and timezone when the message was received, as well as the number that sent the text and the recipient’s number.
