Indiana Department of Revenue Warns of Tax Text Scam
The Coronavirus pandemic has seen a rise in a number of scams. Among them include scams involving Unemployment, Cures, and various others. Earlier this year, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) also issued a list of the top 2020 Tax Scams that could affect American taxpayers.
As the Coronavirus pandemic carries on, the Indiana Department of Revenue (IDOR) is warning of a new tax scam that is currently hitting Hoosiers.
According to a bulletin released by the IDOR(link is external) on November 6th, 2020, this scam involves sending a text message that reads:
“You have received a direct deposit of $1200 from COVID-19 TREAS FUND. Further action is required to accept this payment into your account. Continue here to accept this payment…” The text then includes a link to a fake web address.
The website link then requests additional, personal, information.
The IRS does NOT send unsolicited texts or emails. If you have received this text scam, the IRS is asking you to take a screenshot and collect 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
Send that information and screenshot to: phishing@irs.gov(link sends e-mail). More information can be found on the IRS Website(link is external).
This scam is another example of phishing which is “the fraudulent practice of sending emails purporting to be from reputable companies in order to induce individuals to reveal personal information, such as passwords and credit card numbers.”
For more information about phishing and other online dangers, visit our “Staying Safe Online” blog.