Taxpayers should be aware of fake Internal Revenue Service (IRS)-related advertisements, texts, and email “phishing” attempts about the coronavirus or COVID-19 Economic Impact Payments.
These scams can lead to tax fraud and identity theft.
What Taxpayers Should Know:
- The IRS will not call, email, or text you to verify or request your financial, banking, or personal information.
- Beware of websites and social media attempts to solicit money or personal information. The official website is IRS.gov.
- Do not open surprise emails that appear to be from the IRS or click on attachments or links.
- Taxpayers should not provide personal or financial information or engage with potential scammers online or over the phone.
- Forward suspicious emails to phishing@irs.gov and delete them.
- Visit IRS.gov for the most up-to-date information.
What people should know about Economic Impact Payments:
- The IRS will automatically deposit Economic Impact Payments to taxpayers who provided bank account information on their 2019 or 2018 tax return for direct deposit of their tax refund;
- Individuals without a direct deposit account on file can provide their bank information online through a new secure tool – Get My Payment;
- Anyone who is eligible for an Economic Impact Payment and does not provide direct deposit information will receive a payment sent to the last address the IRS has on file;
- The IRS does not charge a fee to issue the payment;
Scammers may:
- Ask a person to sign their Economic Impact Payment check;
- Request verification of personal or banking information;
- Suggest that they can get their tax refund or Economic Impact Payment to someone else faster by working on their behalf;
- Writing a fake check, usually for an odd amount, then asking someone to call a number or verify information online to cash it;
Official IRS information about COVID-19 pandemic and economic impact payments can be found on the coronavirus tax relief page on IRS.gov.
The IRS encourages people to share this information with family and friends, as many who do not normally file a tax return may also be eligible for the Economic Impact Payment.
The IRS encourages people to share this information with family and friends, as many who do not normally file a tax return may also be eligible for the Economic Impact Payment.
Be sure to educate yourself and consult a tax professional if you have questions.
The IRS encourages people to share this information with family and friends, as many who do not normally file a tax return may also be eligible for the Economic Impact Payment.
Be sure to get informed, and if you have any doubts, consult a specialized professional.