Rockland County residents are being warned about a new IRS scam circulating via text message, falsely claiming recipients are eligible for a $1,400 economic impact statement.
District Attorney Tom Walsh issued an alert regarding the scam, in which fraudsters pose as the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to trick individuals into clicking on malicious links. The deceptive messages originate from a Hotmail address, rather than a secure government domain, and direct victims to a nonexistent website.
Authorities emphasize that the IRS does not initiate contact with taxpayers through text messages, email, or social media to request personal or financial information. While the IRS may call taxpayers for official matters, they will never ask for sensitive data, as they already have access to it.
With tax season in full swing, officials urge residents to remain vigilant against such scams, which tend to increase during this period.
How to Protect Yourself from IRS Scams:
✔ Do not respond to unsolicited messages claiming to be from the IRS.
✔ Never click on suspicious links or provide personal details via text or email.
✔ Verify any IRS-related communications by contacting the agency directly through their official website: www.irs.gov
Report Suspicious Activity Anonymously
If you receive a scam message or encounter illegal activity, you can report it anonymously to the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office through Tip411:
📲 Download the “Rockland County DA Tip411” app (available for iOS & Android)
📩 Text “RocklandCo DA” to 847411
Authorities urge residents to stay alert and help prevent scammers from exploiting unsuspecting victims.