Scammers Using COVID-19 To Rip Off Ohioans

OHIO — Ohio taxpayers are being targeted in a wave of COVID-19 related scams, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) warned.

The IRS's criminal investigations division has seen a variety of scams and financial schemes deployed to rip off Ohioans. This latest wave of frauds is primarily targeting the second round of stimulus payments and the upcoming tax filing season.

“Criminals have used the Economic Impact Payments and the COVID-19 pandemic as an opportunity to steal from and profit off of victims,” said Bryant Jackson, special agent in charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Cincinnati Field Office. “Being aware of some of the scams can help you protect yourself from falling victim to fraud.”

Here are some of the common scams ensnaring Ohioans:

• Text messages asking Ohioans to disclose bank information in order to receive a stimulus payment
• Phishing schemes utilizing emails, texts, letters and social media. These schemes use key words like "Coronavirus" "COVID-19" and "stimulus" and try to gain access to personal information and financial accounts.
• The sale of fake "at-home" COVID-19 test kits.
• Some scammers also sell "at-home" COVID-19 cures, vaccines and medical advice.
• Fake donation groups asking for funds for families or areas hurt by the virus.
• Fake opportunities to invest in companies developing COVID-19 vaccines.

"The best way to avoid falling victim to a scam is knowing how the IRS communicates with taxpayers. 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," the agency said in an emailed statement.

The IRS's criminal division is investigating a number of scams both domestically and abroad. COVID-19 scams can be reported to the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 1-866-720-5721 or submitted through agency's online Complaint Form.