If you’re getting ready for tax filing season and have recently received a text claiming you’re owed a $1,400 stimulus check, don’t get your hopes up, as the Better Business Bureau says it’s a scam.
The BBB shared that anyone who receives a text about the stimulus checks shouldn’t click on the links in the text, as the IRS doesn’t send messages of that kind.
However, that doesn’t stop criminals from trying to impersonate the IRS to trick people into giving them their personal information.
The fake texts come at an inconvenient time for those who are vulnerable, as it was recently reported that the IRS was sending $2.4 million in total to 1 million people to cover those who didn’t get their federal stimulus checks during the pandemic.
The key difference is that the payments are automatic, and those receiving them were sent a letter by the IRS, not a text message. Most payments were also expected to have arrived by late January.
The money was sent to taxpayers who didn’t claim the Recovery Rebate Credit on their 2021 tax returns, and no action was required for them to receive it.
To be better aware of the scam, the BBB shared more information on what the scam may look like, noting that the message will claim you’re eligible for the $1,400 Economic Impact Payment. It asks for your personal information in order to receive the money, but nothing should be given.
The text contains a fake link that appears to be the IRS website but isn’t. Those who click on it are susceptible to malware or a fake form that asks for personal or financial information.
The IRS will never request personal information like this, as it doesn’t use text, email, or social media to contact taxpayers.
If you’re worried that someone is trying to scam you, the BBB says to report the information to the IRS at phishing@irs.gov and then report it to the BBB scam tracker.