As the IRS is still trying to distribute pandemic relief, that text about a second check is not real. Scammers are taking advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic by trying to steal people’s money or financial information by sending fraudulent text messages.
The IRS is warning that the text-message scam is piggybacking on the economic impact payments, or stimulus checks, under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The text reads: “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,”. If you receive the text, you should not click the link, as it will drive you to a fake phishing Web address. What you can do is screenshot the text and send the picture to phishing@irs.gov.
To learn more about the texting scam, and what is really going on with stimulus checks, visit here.
