The Area Agency on Aging, Region One is warning taxpayers about a text scam. It reported that the Internal Revenue Service, state tax agencies and the tax industry caution that there is a scam in which thieves try to trick recipients into disclosing bank account information. These text scams seek information under the guise of taxpayers receiving the $1,200 Economic Impact Payment. Experts are reminding taxpayers that neither the IRS nor state agencies will text taxpayers asking for bank account details so that an Economic Impact Payment deposit can be made.
This scam message says, “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…”
The fake phishing URL, which looks like it comes from a state agency or relief organization, brings recipients to a fraudulent website that attempts to resemble the IRS.gov “Get My Payment” website. Those who enter their personal and financial account information on the site will have that information taken by the scammers.
If you see the text scam you should take a screen shot of the text message and include it in an email to phishing@irs.gov with this information: Date/time/time zone that the message was received, the number that showed up on their caller ID and the number that obtained the text message.
To learn more about the Area Agency on Aging, visit aaaphx.org.
