Last week, the Internal Revenue Service issued a warning to Americans about tax fraud and financial scams related to COVID-19. The IRS has seen an increase in the number of reported incidents preying on pandemic-related matters.
Criminal activity includes selling fake COVID-19 test kits, setting up investment companies alleging to be working on a vaccine, stealing Economic Impact Payments, creating illegitimate “charities” and many other fraudulent activities.
The IRS has observed a steep increase in the number of phishing schemes using emails, letters, texts and links. These electronic outreaches use keywords such as coronavirus, COVID and stimulus while attempting to get personally identifying information or financial information including account numbers and passwords.
Coronavirus-related scams should be reported to the National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 1-866-720-5721.