Received a Text About a $1,400 Rebate from the IRS? It’s a Scam, Says the Better Business Bureau.

If you receive a message suggesting that you are entitled to a $1,400 stimulus check from what appears to be the IRS, do not click on any links. This message is likely a scam since the federal agency does not communicate in this manner. Fraudsters are pretending to be the IRS to deceive taxpayers into providing personal information by sending out fraudulent notifications about their eligibility for additional funds, warns the Better Business Bureau.

These fraudulent messages may seem legitimate as they are tied to recent developments. The IRS announced in late December that it would be distributing $2.4 million to 1 million individuals to compensate those who did not receive the full amount of their federal stimulus checks during the pandemic.

However, these payments — which can amount to $1,400 for each eligible recipient — are distributed automatically. Recipients would have received a letter from the IRS, with most payments expected to have been issued by late January. This funding is aimed at taxpayers who neglected to claim the Recovery Rebate Credit on their 2021 tax returns, requiring no further action on their part.

How the Scam Operates:

You might receive a message that appears to be from the IRS, indicating you qualify for a $1,400 Economic Impact Payment and urging you to provide your personal information so the funds can be deposited into your bank account or mailed to you within 1 to 2 business days.

These phishing messages contain fake links that imitate official IRS websites. Clicking on them could result in downloading malware or redirecting you to a bogus form requesting personal or financial details. Remember, the IRS will never ask for your information in this way — it does not reach out to taxpayers via text, email, or social media.

Helpful Advice from the Better Business Bureau:

  • Verify all communications: Official IRS notifications are sent through traditional mail, not texts or emails.
  • Avoid clicking on links: Do not click on links in unsolicited messages. Instead, visit IRS.gov.
  • Be wary of urgent requests: Scammers often create a false sense of urgency to pressure you into acting quickly. Take your time to verify claims through independent sources.
  • Report any scams. Forward suspicious texts to phishing@irs.gov and report them at BBB.org/ScamTracker.