U.S. Attorney and IRS-CI Warn Taxpayers against Fraud Schemes Related to COVID-19

Posted: April 22, 2020

1
Department of Justice
United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum
Southern District of Iowa
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Rachel J. Scherle
Wednesday, April 22, 2020 515-473-9300
http://www.justice.gov/usao/ias Rachel.Scherle@usdoj.gov
U.S. Attorney and IRS-CI Warn Taxpayers against Fraud Schemes
Related to COVID-19 Economic Impact Payments
DES MOINES, Iowa – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of
Iowa and Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations (IRS-CI), St. Louis Field Office, are
warning taxpayers to be on the lookout for scam artists trying to use the COVID-19 economic
impact payments as cover for schemes to steal personal information and money.
United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum and Karl Stiften, Special Agent in Charge,
Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), St. Louis Field Office, made the
announcement today in an effort to prevent taxpayers from falling victim to criminals using the
recently approved economic impact payments as an opportunity to commit a crime.
Automatic COVID-19 economic impact payments started being deposited into taxpayers’
accounts on April 11. For most Americans, this will be a direct deposit into your bank account.
For the unbanked, retirees or other groups who have traditionally received tax refunds via paper
check, they will receive their economic impact payment in this manner as well. Scammers may try
to get you to sign over your check to them or use this as an opportunity to get you to “verify” your
filing information in order to receive your money, and then use your personal information at a
later date to file false tax returns in an identity theft scheme. Because of this, everyone receiving a
COVID-19 related economic impact payment from the government is at risk.
Karl Stiften, Special Agent in Charge of the IRS-CI St. Louis Field Office warned “The
existence of a deadly national pandemic will not stop criminals seeking to capitalize on the fears
and difficulties faced by the public as they try to line their own pockets by stealing your money or
your personal information.”
2
“Today, we need to be just as careful about our financial information as we are about our
health,” stated U.S. Attorney Krickbaum. “Don’t give out your financial or personal
information—or your money – over the phone, or in response to emails or texts. And look out for
your elderly neighbors, friends, and relatives to help prevent them from falling victim to
scammers.”
Special Agent in Charge Stiften offers the following information and tips to spot a scam
and understand how the COVID-19 related economic impact payments will be issued.
• The IRS will deposit your check into the direct deposit account you previously
provided on your tax return (or, in the alternative, send you a paper check).
• The IRS will not call and ask you to verify your payment details. Do not give out
your bank account or any other account information – even if someone claims it’s necessary to get
your check. It’s a scam.
• If you receive a call, don’t engage with scammers or thieves, even if you want to
tell them that you know it’s a scam, or you think that you can beat them. Just hang up.
• If you receive texts or emails claiming that you can get your money faster by
sending personal information or clicking on links, delete them. Don’t click on any links in those
emails or texts.
• Reports are also swirling about bogus checks. If you receive a check that requires
that you verify the check online or by calling a number, it’s a fraud.
In these uncertain and trying times, we need to stand together united with purpose. Don’t
become a victim by allowing criminals to exploit your emotions. Stay strong, tell your family,
friends and neighbors about these scams.
“IRS Criminal Investigation alongside the U.S. Department of Justice are prioritizing these
types of investigations to help protect taxpayers and the tax system, especially those looking to
prey on vulnerable taxpayers,” said Special Agent in Charge Stiften. “Remember, go directly
and solely to IRS.gov for official information.”
3
For more information, visit the IRS website at www.irs.gov/coronavirus. You can always
report scams to the IRS on the website at https://www.irs.gov/privacy-disclosure/report-phishing
# # # # #