ORLANDO, Fla. – In December, the Internal Revenue Service announced it would send payments to eligible taxpayers who didn’t receive one or more stimulus checks during the pandemic.

This announcement caught the attention of fraudsters, who are now impersonating the IRS to steal personal information, according to the Better Business Bureau (BBB).

Holly Salmons, president and CEO of the BBB serving Central Florida, noted that consumers have reported receiving text messages and emails that appear to be from the IRS.

“They’re anxious to get their hands on that money, and the scammers are depending on that,” Salmons told News 6.

The messages claim recipients are eligible for a $1,400 economic impact payment but require them to provide personal information by clicking a link.

However, these texts are not from the government.

In an interview with former IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel, News 6 confirmed that the IRS does not send links via email or text.

The messages are from criminals attempting to gather personal information, according to Salmons.

“They’re asking you to verify things like your full name, your address, Social Security number, and your date of birth,” Salmons explained.

The risk extends beyond personal information; clicking on these links could also harm your device.

The IRS clarified that eligible individuals do not need to take any action to receive their payments.

The IRS will deposit the funds into the bank account listed on their 2023 return or mail it to them.

To avoid falling victim to these scams, remember not to click on suspicious links or provide personal information.

If you suspect you’ve been targeted, forward suspicious messages to phishing@irs.gov and report them to BBB.org/ScamTracker.