The Internal Revenue Service is continuing to urge taxpayers to be on the lookout for a surge of calls and email phishing attempts about the Coronavirus or COVID-19. These contacts can lead to tax-related fraud and identity theft.
IRS officials said in a statement, the scam asks you to provide bank account information "so you can get that $1,200 payment". A few versions of the fraud exist, but commonly this is done through a text that says a payment is ready to be sent to your account.
"We urge people to take extra care during this period. The IRS isn't going to call you asking to verify or provide your financial information so you can get an economic impact payment or your refund faster," IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig said. "That also applies to surprise emails that appear to be coming from the IRS. Remember, don't open them or click on attachments or links.
IRS officials said taxpayers should watch not only for emails but text messages, websites and social media attempts that request money or personal information.
**The IRS reminds taxpayers that scammers may:**
-Emphasize the words " Second Stimulus Check" or "Stimulus Payment." The official term is economic impact payment.
-Ask the taxpayer to sign over their economic impact payment check to them.
-Ask by phone, email, text, or social media for verification of personal and/or banking information, saying that the information is needed to receive or speed up their economic impact payment.
-Suggest that they can get a tax refund or economic impact payment faster by working on the taxpayer's behalf. This scam could be conducted by social media or even in person.
-Mail the taxpayer a bogus check, perhaps in an odd amount, then tell the taxpayer to call a number or verify information online in order to cash it.
The IRS advising residents to contact your local police department if you come across any of these potential scammers.
**INFORMATION SOURCE:** IRS.GOV