BLOOMFIELD – The Bloomfield Police Department alerts residents to a text messaging scam impersonating the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The fraudulent messages claim recipients are eligible for a $1,400 Economic Impact Payment and urge them to provide personal information via a suspicious link.
The IRS will never initiate contact through text messages for these types of payments. Text messages are a classic example of a phishing scam that attempts to trick individuals into divulging sensitive data like bank account details or social security numbers.
The Bloomfield Police Department urges citizens to exercise caution and common sense when receiving unsolicited messages. Do not click on links or provide personal information via text, email, or phone calls without independently verifying the request’s legitimacy. Always navigate to the official IRS website (www.irs.gov) for accurate information.
Protect yourself and your information:
- Be wary of unexpected messages promising payments or benefits.
- Never trust the sender’s address or display name – scammers can spoof these to appear legitimate.
- Do not click on links in unsolicited messages.
- Independently verify by searching for the official website or contacting the organization directly.
- Remember, the IRS primarily communicates through mail.
The Bloomfield Police Department is committed to keeping the community informed and safe from these scams. Report any suspicious activity to the police and the IRS.
This is an example of a phishing text message. Do not respond or click the link.
For more information on avoiding IRS scams, visit www.irs.gov.
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