IRS - Related Coronavirus Scam

April 17, 2020

As you might all be aware, under the CARES Act signed into law on Friday, March 27, 2020, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has started to deliver economic impact payments to eligible taxpayers who filed tax returns for either 2019 or 2018.

In order to avoid falling victim to fraudulent individuals either impersonating or claiming to represent the IRS, the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration offers the following tips to taxpayers:

• The IRS will generally first contact people by mail, not by phone, about tax-related matters.
• If the IRS does contact you by phone, they will not insist on any pre-payment using an iTunes card, gift card, prepaid debit card, money order, or wire transfer, in order to receive economic impact payments.
• The IRS will also never request personal or financial information by email, text, letter, or any social media.

If you receive a call or e-mail from someone claiming to be with the IRS asking for a pre-payment or for your personal or financial information in order to receive economic impact payments connected with the coronavirus pandemic, please report it at the link below.

If you believe you have been a victim of a Coronavirus scam, submit a Coronavirus Scam Report.

IRS.gov