Summertime Phishing Schemes Are Heating Up, IRS Warns

What You Need to Know

IRS is seeing hundreds of complaints daily about a scam promising a third round of Economic Impact Payments.
A ‘summer surge’ of phishing emails and text messages also promise tax refunds or offers to help ‘fix’ tax problems.
Another scam comes via mail and misleads people into believing they are owed a refund.

The Internal Revenue Service is warning taxpayers to be on the lookout for a “summer surge” of phishing emails and text messages promising tax refunds or offers to help “fix” tax problems — most notably promises related to a third round of Economic Impact Payments.

The IRS said it’s seeing “hundreds of complaints daily” sent to [email protected] about the Economic Impact Payments scam, which the agency said “has an embedded URL link that takes people to phishing websites to steal sensitive taxpayer information.”

IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel said Friday in a statement that “taxpayers should be wary; remember, don’t click on links from questionable sources.”

Email messages include titles such as “Third Round of Economic Impact Payments Status Available.”

While the third round of Economic Impact Payments occurred in 2021, more than two years ago, “the related scheme has evolved and changed as scam artists look for new ways to adjust their message,” the IRS said.

The emails are riddled with spelling errors and factual inaccuracies, the IRS states, offering the following example:

“Dear Tax Payer, We hope this message finds you well. We are writing to inform you abount an important matter regarding your recent tax return filing. Our record indicate that we have received your tax return for the fiscal inconsistencies or missing information that require your attention and clarification. You will receive a tax refund of $976.00 , We will process this amount once you have submitted the document we need for the steps to claim your tax refund. Sender : INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE”

The IRS states that, like many scams, “this email urges people to click on a link so they can complete their ‘application.’” Instead, the link directs taxpayers to a website “where identity thieves will try to harvest valuable personal information.”

The IRS says there’s been a significant increase in false Employee Retention Credit (ERC) claims, a pandemic-related credit for which only select employers qualify.

“Scam promoters are luring people to improperly claim the ERC with ‘offers’ online, in social media, on the radio, or through unsolicited phone calls, emails and even mailings that look like official government letters but have fake agency names and usually urge immediate action,” the IRS states.

“It’s important to watch for warning signs such as promoters who say they can quickly determine someone’s eligibility without details, and those who charge up-front fees or a fee based on a percentage of the ERC claimed,” the IRS states.

“Anyone who improperly claims the ERC must pay it back, possibly with penalties and interest,” the agency warns.