As the second round of Federal Economic Stimulus funds are being distributed, the IRS says scammers wasted no time in creating new scams to try and get your money and personal information.
The IRS says their Criminal Investigators have seen a variety of Economic Impact Payment (EIP) scams and other financial schemes designed to steal money and personal information from taxpayers. Criminals are taking advantage of the second round of Economic Impact Payments – as well as the approaching filing season – to trick honest taxpayers out of their hard-earned money.
Some common COVID-19 scams include:
- Text messages asking taxpayers to disclose bank account information under the guise of receiving the $1,200 Economic Impact
- Phishing schemes using email, letters, and social media messages with keywords such as “Coronavirus,” “COVID-19,” and “stimulus” in varying ways.
- The organized and unofficial sale of fake at-home COVID-19 test kits (as well as offers to sell fake cures, vaccines, pills, and professional medical advice regarding unproven COVID-19 treatments).
- Fake donation requests for individuals, groups, and areas heavily affected by the disease.
- Bogus opportunities to invest in companies developing COVID-19 vaccines while promising that the “company” will dramatically increase in value as a
Do not give out your personal information, banking information, or any passwords. Also remember, The IRS and most government organizations will not call you to make the first contact. If they want to contact you the first contact is most often by mail sent through the US postal service.
If it sounds too good to be true it probably is. If you think it is a scam, report it to the IRS or the appropriate law enforcement agency.
