The IRS is warning taxpayers of a recent increase in IRS-themed texting scams aimed at stealing personal and financial information.
So far this year, the IRS has identified and reported thousands of fraudulent domains tied to multiple texting scams (known as “smishing”) targeting taxpayers. In the last few weeks, smishing scams have increased exponentially.
The scams target mobile phone users with text messages that often look like official IRS notices. The messages try to lure victims into providing personal data for phony COVID-19 relief and tax credits.
The IRS stresses that it does not send emails or text messages asking for personal or financial information. Recipients of these IRS-related scams should report them to phishing@irs.gov.