Wanted to alert folks to this new COVID-related scam coming to folks via text message. See info below & attached from the IRS…

 

Brandy Bauer
Associate Director, Center for Benefits Access
Office: 571-527-3911
xxxxxx@ncoa.org

National Council on Aging
251 18th St S, Suite 500
Arlington, VA 22202
ncoa.org | @NCOAging

 

 

2020-C19-DG16_Email Signature_FINAL

 

 

From: Deazeley Kristen K
Sent: Wednesday, November 4, 2020 6:54 PM
Subject: Security Summit partners warn taxpayers of new COVID-related text scam

 

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Good evening everyone,

 

I’m reaching out today with a warning regarding a new COVID-related text scam. The scam text message 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 text includes a link to a fake phishing web address.

 

This fake phishing URL, which appears to come from a state agency or relief organization, takes recipients to a fraudulent website that impersonates the IRS.gov Get My Payment website. Individuals who visit the fraudulent website and then enter their personal and financial account information will have their information collected by these scammers. As a reminder, IRS does not send unsolicited texts or emails. The IRS does not call people with threats of jail or lawsuits, nor does it demand tax payments on gift cards

 

For additional information, I have attached the news release and included a link to the news release below: 

 

IR-20-249 Security Summit partners warn taxpayers of new COVID-related text scam

 

Please let me know if I can help with any questions or concerns. Thank you!

 

Kristen Deazeley

Public Affairs Specialist

Internal Revenue Service | Communications & Liaison | Tax Outreach, Partnership and Education 

24000 Avila Road, M/S 5300

Laguna Niguel, CA 92677-3405
| 949.575.6102 P |  877.477.8636 F

 

 

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