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IRS Warns of Increased Financial Scams Related To COVID-19

By Michelle Mitchell Jun 10, 2020 | 2:32 PM

June 10, 2020 – The Internal Revenue Service is reminding you to guard against tax fraud and other related financial scams related to COVID-19.

 In the last few months, the IRS Criminal Investigation division has seen a variety of Economic Impact Payment scams and other financial schemes looking to take advantage of unsuspecting taxpayers. Scams related to COVID-19 also include the organized selling of fake at-home test kits, offers to sell fake cures, vaccines, pills and advice on unproven treatments for COVID-19. Other scams purport to sell large quantities of medical supplies through the creation of fake shops, websites, social media accounts and email addresses where the criminal fails to deliver promised supplies after receiving funds. Other COVID-19 related scams involve setting up fake charities soliciting donations for individuals, groups and areas affected by the disease.  

Taxpayers can also report fraud or theft of their Economic Impact Payments to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA). Reports can be made online at TIPS.TIGTA.GOV. TIGTA investigates external attempts to corruptly interfere with federal tax administration, including IRS-related coronavirus scams.

Also, taxpayers can always report phishing attempts to the IRS. Those who receive unsolicited emails or social media attempts to gather information that appear to be from either the IRS or an organization closely linked to the IRS, such as the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS), should forward it to phishing@irs.gov. Taxpayers are encouraged not to engage potential scammers online or on the phone.