The Internal Revenue Service is warning about a dramatic increase in “smishing” scams – malicious text messages made to look like they were sent by the IRS.
“A lot of these messages that are coming in are telling people about potential fake Covid relief, or tax credits, or saying that they can help set up an IRS online account,” said David Tucker, a spokesperson with the IRS office in Seattle.
These bogus texts are designed to steal both personal and financial information.
“And what they’re trying to do is convince those victims to click on a link on that particular text message that will send them to a website that will say ‘you need to pay your tax liability,’ or something of that nature,” Tucker told me.
Clicking on the link could also download malware onto your mobile device.
The IRS says this current wave of phony text messages is happening on “an industrial scale,” putting hundreds of thousands of people at risk.
Protecting yourself is easy. If you get a text message that claims to be from the IRS, delete it. The IRS does not contact people via text message or email…NEVER.
The IRS communicates with taxpayers the old-fashioned way – with letters sent in the mail.
More Info: IRS reports significant increase in texting scams; warns taxpayers to remain vigilant
If you get a call, text, email, or social media message and don’t know what to do, call the AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline at 877-908-3360 before you provide an unknown caller with information or money. You do not need to be an AARP member to use this free service.
