The state Departments of Revenue and Banking and Securities are warning Pennsylvanians about phishing scams targeting people who are expecting a stimulus payment from the federal government following the outbreak of COVID-19, according to Senator Dan Laughlin.
The stimulus payments, otherwise known as economic impact payments, are being distributed by the federal government as part of the federal economic stimulus legislation that was signed into law in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the IRS, in most cases the payments will be directly deposited into the bank accounts that taxpayers previously listed on their federal tax returns.
However, the IRS has reported seeing a surge of scam artists perpetrating phishing schemes where they pose as government officials to trick people into turning over their banking information. Doing so may allow a criminal to steal an individual’s identity, file a fraudulent tax return in their name or use their personal data for other illicit purposes.
For more information click here or visit: https://www.media.pa.gov/Pages/Revenue-Details.aspx?newsid=310
Contact: Matt Azeles mazeles@pasen.gov