The weather isn’t the only thing that’s hot this summer. The Economic Impact Payment scam is making a comeback more than two years after the payments went out to taxpayers. Unlike the lyrics in the old Eddie Cochran song, Summertime Blues, “Ain’t no cure for the summertime blues,” there is a cure for this summertime scam. Here are four tips to help you avoid becoming a victim of the Economic Impact Payment scam.
What is the Economic Impact Payment scam?
You may remember that in 2021, the government issued a third round of Economic Impact Payment checks. The rules for reporting these payments to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) confused some taxpayers, and that’s when scammers realized they had a new opportunity. The current scam version begins with an email or text that claims you’re entitled to an additional tax refund based on a reporting error. The IRS recently posted a warning about this scam. In their posting, they included an example of one of these messages.
“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”
Tips to avoid the scam
Tip #1: Poor spelling and grammar are still a reliable way to spot a scam. Unfortunately, the scammers are paying more attention to what they write. This means you won’t always see these mistakes, but if you do, you know the message is a scam.
Tip #2: The IRS will not email, text, or call you about your taxes. They’ll send you a letter. If the contact doesn’t come via the mail, it’s a scam.
Tip #3: You’re given a deadline or you’ll lose your refund. Think about that one for a moment. The IRS is now in the business of giving taxpayers a few days to claim a refund? No, no, and no.
Tip #4: And last, the all-encompassing rule to avoid scams, don’t click a link if you don’t know who sent the message. This could also be applied to telephone calls. Don’t call a number unless you’re positive it goes to a legitimate source. This isn’t always easy because it can require you to find a website or telephone number, but it’s a lifesaver when it comes to avoiding scams.
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