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IRS Warns of New Wave of Stimulus Scams

Cyber Crime The IRS Criminal Investigation Division
  • Text messages asking taxpayers to disclose bank account information under the guise of receiving the Economic Impact Payments.

  • Phishing schemes using email, letters and social media messages with key words such as "Coronavirus," "COVID-19," and "stimulus" in varying ways. These communications are blasted to large numbers of people and aim to access personally identifying information and financial account information (including account numbers and passwords).

  • 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 supposedly to help 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 result.

last wave of stimulus payments said recently