The Internal Revenue Service, state tax agencies and the tax industry have just issued a warning of a new text scam that tricks people into disclosing bank account information.

The scam text message states:

“You have received a direct deposit of $1,200 from COVID-19 TREAS FUND. Further action is required to accept this payment into your account. Continue here to accept this payment …”

The text includes a link to a fake phishing web address. The text appears to come from a state agency or relief organization. The text takes recipients to a fraudulent website that impersonates the IRS.gov Get My Payment website. Those who visit the fraudulent website and then enter their personal and financial account information will have their information collected by the scammers.

Anyone who receives this text scam is asked to take a screen shot of the text message that they received, and then include the screenshot in an email to [email protected] with the following information:

• Date/Time/Timezone that they received the text message
• The number that appeared on their Caller ID
• The number that received the text message

I continue to stress that the IRS does not send unsolicited texts or emails. The IRS does not call people with threats of jail or lawsuits, nor does it demand tax payments on gift cards.

If you believe you are eligible for the Economic Impact Payment go directly to IRS.gov. Those who do not have a filing requirement but are eligible for EIP can use a non-filers tool on IRS.gov until Nov. 21 to claim their payment.