My Account Career Portal Forms Portal Learning Portal Mobility Magazine
Cart Cart

Internal Revenue Service Warns Taxpayers of New COVID-Related Text Scam

Nov 16 2020
Published in: Public Policy
| Updated Apr 27 2023
On 4 November, The Internal Revenue Service along with state tax agencies and the tax industry issued a warning of a new text scam that tricks people into disclosing bank account information under the guise of receiving the $1,200 Economic Impact Payment.

On 4 November, The Internal Revenue Service along with state tax agencies and the tax industry that make the Security Summit issued a warning of a new text scam that tricks people into disclosing bank account information under the guise of receiving the $1,200 Economic Impact Payment. The warning clarified that the IRS will not ever text taxpayers requesting personal banking information.

The scam text message, which includes a fake phishing web link, 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 IRS warning further explains that those individuals who visit the fake website and disclose personal financial information will have their information collected by these scammers. Should a taxpayer receive the fake text scam, the IRS advises that one should screen shot the text and email it to phishing@irs.gov with the following information:

  • Date/Time/Timezone that they received the text message
  • The number that appeared on their Caller ID
  • The number that received the text message

Additionally, the IRS warning advises that those who may be eligible for the Economic Impact Payment should go directly to IRS.gov. Eligible EIP recipients who do not have a filing requirement can use a non-filers tool on IRS.gov until 21 November to claim their payment. The IRS also just published COVID Tax Tip 2020-154 to remind self-supporting college students and recent graduates that it is not too late to register to receive their Economic Impact Payment before year's end. Qualified individuals must register by 3:00 P.M. ET on 21 November to ensure payment of their stimulus payment before the end of the year.

How This Impacts Mobility

Unfortunately, bad people rarely take a break from their nefarious escapades, and major events like a pandemic only give them another opportunity to prey on good people dealing with hard times. Our employees represent one of our most valuable assets and anything we can do to make them aware of potential risks is not only right, but staves off a bad experience that will, at the very least, distract our employee from their work, or require greater assistance from us. Help spread the word, and if any member has questions regarding these developments, please reach out to Vice President of Member Engagement and Public Policy Rebecca Peters, rpeters@worldwideerc.org.