Security Center

Phishing scams can come in the form of emails, while smishing scams are sent via text message. Both often appear they are from a company or individual you know or trust and can tell a false story to convince you to open a link or attachment. These types of scams can be used to steal personal information, like credit card numbers, PINs, or passwords. They may include claims of suspicious activity, a problem with your payment information, or eligibility for a government refund.

Stay informed on the most recent scams through the Federal Trade Commission. If you suspect that you have received a phishing attempt:

• Do not open any attachments, click on any links, or reply
• Report and delete it

Often, fraudsters will use regular mail, telephone, or email for various scams related to the IRS, taxes, and unemployment benefits. Remember, the IRS does not initiate contact with taxpayers by email, text, or social media channels to request personal or financial information. Stay up-to-date on the latest scams by reading the IRS’ Tax Scams/Consumer Alerts.

Some scams targeting taxpayers include:

• Social security number scams with claims of being able to suspend or cancel the victim's SSN
• Identity theft and unemployment benefits
• IRS-Impersonation telephone scams

5 WAYS TO AVOID TAX SCAMS

Fake checks are used in many different scams. Some include:

> Secret/mystery shopping: Scammers will pretend to hire someone as a mystery shopper, telling them that their first assignment is to evaluate a retailer that sells gift cards or money orders. The mystery shopper receives a check with instructions to deposit it, and then wire the money to someone else, or purchase gift cards. Once a transaction of this kind happens, the scammer stops communicating.

> Car wrap decals: Scammers promise easy money if you shrink-wrap your car with ads for brands, such as Pepsi or Red Bull, and send a fake check to be deposited for decal installation through a non-existent company.

> Claiming prizes: Scammers send "winners" fake checks and are told to send money back to cover taxes, shipping & handling expenses, or other fees. Legitimate sweepstakes do not work like this.

> Overpayment claims: Scammers may purchase something from you online, claim to have accidentally sent a check for too much, and ask you to refund the balance.

If you receive a message that urges you to deposit a check and then wire money in return, it's a scam.

Fraudsters continue to try and scam people using many tools and by following news headlines to adapt their message. According to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), consumers should be on the lookout for these signs of vaccine scams:

• Requests that you pay out of pocket to receive a shot or get on a vaccine waiting list.
  
• Ads for vaccines on websites, social media posts, emails, or phone calls.
  
• Offers to sell or ship doses of COVID-19 vaccines.