A text message offering a final $1,400 (£1,045) stimulus payment from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is circulating on American phones. No such money exists; the refund claim deadline was 15 April 2025, more than a year ago. Anyone who taps the link gives thieves the details needed to empty an account, not fill one.
This type of fraud is profitable. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reported $920 million in losses last year from scams where crooks posed as government officials, up from $789 million in 2024. Reports of government imposter scams increased by 40%, with victims over 60 losing the largest sums.
