Coronavirus Relief Payment Scams
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act was passed to provide fast and direct economic assistance to American workers and families, small businesses, and to preserve jobs in American industries. Unfortunately, the CARES Act unprecedented access to economic relief for America’s business and families also makes it ripe for abuse by scammers.
In an April 7, 2020, Press Release, the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (“TIGTA”) urged taxpayers to be on high alert for potential scams related to government assistance to taxpayers impacted by the coronavirus.
TIGTA offers the following advice to taxpayers:
- The IRS is not going to contact you by telephone to ask you for your personal identification or financial information in order to provide you with an economic impact payment.
- The IRS will never contact you and ask you to make any kind of payment using an iTunes card, gift card, prepaid debit card, money order, or wire transfer.
- The IRS will never request personal or financial information by e-mail, text messages, letters, or any social media.
If you believe you have been contacted by a scammer, you should report suspicious communications at www.TIGTA.com or forward suspected scam e-mails to phishing@irs.gov. In addition, please contact the lawyers at Beresford Booth for further advice or assistance navigating the CARES Act and its related issues.