Beware of Coronavirus & Tax Scams
Scam artists have been trying to take people’s payments. Know how to recognize them.
- Be careful of emails with links claiming to have special stimulus information.
- The IRS will not demand personal information or payment from you by calling, emailing, or texting you.
- Remember, the IRS will never threaten to bring in law enforcement without an appeal.
- Don’t open surprise emails that look like they’re coming from the IRS.
- Not all tax preparers are honest. Get help finding a reputable tax preparer using the IRS Preparer Directory
- The IRS, Social Service Administration, or U.S. Treasury will not call or email offering grants or Economic Impact Payments in exchange for personal information, an advance fee, or gift cards.
- If you are expecting your stimulus check to come in the mail and not to your bank account, be aware that the check may come as a debit card in the mail. The debit card, called the Economic Impact Card, will be sent in a white envelope that prominently displays the U.S. Department of the Treasury seal. It has the Visa name on the front of the Card and the issuing bank, MetaBank®, N.A., on the back of the card. Review this Economic Impact Card fact sheet for tips on how to use it without fees.
Protect Yourself and Know Your Rights!
A list of common scams to avoid is available at https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/tax-scams-consumer-alerts.
Learn how to tell the IRS from scammers here https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/tax-scams-consumer-alerts.
Chicagoans: If you are paying someone to do your taxes, remember that you have rights as a consumer - review this Consumer Bill of Rights from the City of Chicago
Information on how to protect yourself financially is available from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: https://www.consumerfinance.gov/coronavirus/#scam
Learn more by reading the IRS' Taxpayer Bill of Rights
