If you get an email or text message from the IRS concerning a stimulus check or unemployment claim, beware: it’s almost certainly a fraud, according to the IRS.
As tax season approaches, so are efforts at fraud. This year, that includes frauds involving a variety of Covid-19 alleviation programs, like stimulus checks and unemployment assistance.
Unless the text message is connected to IRS Secure Access, a two-factor authentication process, the IRS will not contact you by email or text. Someone impersonating the agency will send you an SMS concerning bills or reimbursements. The IRS also claims that it will never send communications to people over social media.
IRS Will Never Make Phone Calls Discussing Stimulus Checks
These scams are committed to stealing your personal information, money from you directly, or, more importantly, your stimulus checks tax refund at this time of year. According to the IRS, the texts frequently include links to bogus IRS websites or tools, as well as references to Covid-19 or stimulus funds.
Scams over the phone are very popular, although the IRS is unlikely to call you directly. If you receive a call from someone claiming to be an IRS official demanding that you pay a bill over the phone, hang up. The agency will not accept money in this manner. Even if the phone number looks to be from an IRS facility, which may be spoofed, the IRS will never call you to make these requests.
If the IRS makes contact with you, it will almost certainly be through normal mail. According to the agency, if you owe money in taxes, you should only pay it to the US Treasury and not to anybody else.
If you get one of these unwanted SMS, take a screenshot and submit it to [email protected], along with the date and time you got it and your phone number. Add possibly scammy emails as an attachment to the same email address and do the same thing.
