If you receive a text claiming you’re eligible for a $1,400 stimulus check, do not click on any links—it’s a scam. The IRS does not send text messages about stimulus payments, and scammers are impersonating the agency to steal personal and financial information, according to a warning from the Better Business Bureau (BBB).
The scam plays on recent news about the IRS sending out payments to taxpayers who didn’t claim their full stimulus checks during the pandemic. In December, the agency announced it would be distributing $2.4 million in payments to eligible recipients—but these payments are automatic, and the IRS notifies recipients by mail, not text or email.
How the Scam Works
Victims receive a text message claiming they are eligible for a $1,400 Economic Impact Payment and must provide personal information to receive the money via direct deposit or check. The message includes a fake link that mimics an IRS website. Clicking the link could lead to malware or a fraudulent form asking for sensitive data like Social Security numbers and bank account details.
The IRS does not contact taxpayers by text, email, or social media regarding payments, and any such messages should be ignored and reported.
How to Protect Yourself
- Verify Communications: The IRS only contacts taxpayers through official letters via postal mail—never through text or email.
- Avoid Clicking Links: If you receive an unsolicited message about a stimulus payment, go directly to IRS.gov instead of clicking any links.
- Be Wary of Urgency: Scammers try to create a sense of urgency to make you act quickly. Always verify claims before providing any information.
- Report Suspicious Messages: Forward scam texts to [email protected] and report them to the Better Business Bureau at BBB.org/ScamTracker.
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