Stay alert for notifications from the IRS indicating that you qualify for a stimulus check.
HOUSTON — The Better Business Bureau has released a cautionary notice regarding deceptive individuals attempting to manipulate taxpayers into providing their personal information.
According to the BBB, the fraudulent text messages often appear legitimate, but they are part of a phishing effort aimed at acquiring your sensitive information.
Understanding the IRS refund scam
- Scammers impersonate the IRS, attempting to deceive taxpayers into revealing personal details by claiming they qualify for a $1,400 stimulus check.
- The fraudster asserts that the funds will be deposited into your bank account or sent via check within one to two business days.
- The message includes a fraudulent link that resembles an official IRS website. Clicking on this link may lead to malware installation or a fake form requesting personal or financial details.
The IRS does not reach out to taxpayers through text messages, emails, or social media, and they will never ask for personal information in this manner.
Tips to avoid this scam
- Verify communications: Authentic IRS notifications are sent by mail, never through text or email.
- Refrain from clicking links: Do not click on links in unsolicited messages. Instead, visit IRS.gov directly for accurate information.
- Be wary of urgency: Scammers often create a sense of urgency to prompt quick actions. Take your time to verify claims independently.
- Report the scam: Forward any suspicious messages to [email protected] and report them at BBB.org/ScamTracker.
The BBB provides helpful advice to recognize the various types of government impostors, identify warning signs, and safeguard your personal information. Visit the BBB’s government impostors page for additional details.
Legitimate COVID stimulus checks from the IRS
As previously reported, the real IRS has stated that automatic payments will be processed for eligible taxpayers who did not claim the Recovery Rebate Credit on their 2021 tax returns. These payments will require no action from taxpayers and are expected to be sent automatically by late January 2025, according to the IRS.
Eligible individuals will also receive a letter from the IRS confirming the payment. This process only pertains to those who filed a 2021 tax return but did not claim the credit they were entitled to.
