The Internal Revenue Service recently warned of a new COVID-related texting scam where scammers trick people into giving their bank account information under the guise of receiving the $1,200 Economic Impact Payment. The scam text message states: “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 text includes a link to a fake phishing web address.
This fake phishing URL, which appears to come from a state agency or relief organization, takes recipients to a fraudulent website that impersonates the IRS.gov Get My Payment website. Individuals who visit the fraudulent website and then enter their personal and financial account information will have their information collected by these scammers. As a reminder, IRS does not send unsolicited texts or emails. The IRS does not call people with threats of jail or lawsuits, nor does it demand tax payments on gift cards
For additional information, see the IRS’ full alert.
If you come across this or other scams, you can report them to our California Senior Medicare Patrol at 1-855-613-7080. We also have a new COVID fraud alert available in English and Spanish.
