- Fraudsters pretend to be tax agencies to steal banking information via fake refund messages
- Inflation reimbursements in New York are automatic; no additional information is needed
- Governor Hochul calls for vigilance and warns that the IRS never contacts citizens for personal data
Cybercriminals are leveraging New York State’s inflation rebate check initiative in an effort to steal their banking information and, quite possibly, their money.
New York State Governor Kathy Hochul has warned citizens about an ongoing phishing campaign impersonating the New York State Tax Department and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
In the phishing message, delivered via text, voicemail, email and direct mail, the fraudsters urged their victims to provide them with accurate banking information so they could receive this refund.
Abuse of key dates
New York inflation rebate checks are one-time payments intended to offset the rising cost of living. Depending on their income and filing status, residents who filed their 2023 income taxes automatically received between $150 and $400, and apparently around $2 billion was distributed that way.
“Your refund request has been processed and approved. Please provide accurate payment information by September 19, 2025. Funds will be deposited into your bank account or sent by paper check within 1-2 business days,” the phishing message states.
“Failure to submit required payment information by September 19, 2025 will result in permanent forfeiture of this refund under New York Revised Statute §5747.11.”
The refund process is automatic and citizens are not required to provide any information other than filing income tax forms.
“With scams targeting the state’s inflation rebate initiative, let me be clear: the Department of Taxation and the IRS do not call or text individuals to obtain personal information. My administration urges New Yorkers to remain vigilant and report these scams to the Department of Taxation to protect yourself from being a victim,” Governor Hochul said.
Fraudsters are known to use current events as a theme for phishing and other scams. Tax and filing season is just one of many, with major sporting events, religious events, key shopping dates, and more also used.
Via BeepComputer
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