Is a Second $1,200 Stimulus Check Possible by Just Clicking the Link Sent via Text?

Earlier this month, a text message had circulated to Americans, urging the receivers to click what reports described as "a nefarious link" so they could receive a $1,200 stimulus check in response to COVID-19.

Several months following the distribution of the first round of stimulus check payments in April this year, many American families pondered if there would be another round of relief.

As these beneficiaries waited, some deceptive people took advantage of the uncertainty if that second round of financial assistance would take place.

One of these deceptive efforts was a text message that was made to appear as if it had been sent on behalf of the Internal Revenue Service, urging the receiver to key-in his personal information in order to receive the second stimulus check.

A Scam

As of this writing, a second COVID-19 relief package that might consist of the second round of stimulus checks was reportedly "at a federal standstill" in the week after the 2020 general election.

In a notice posted in early November, the IRS said any text messages referring to a second stimulus check "are part of a phishing scam" to gather personal and financial data, which include bank account information.

Reports on this issue on the second round of stimulus checks said, in most cases, the scam message would state, "You have received a direct deposit of $1,200 from COVID-19 TREAS FUND. Further action is required to accept this payment into your account. Continue here to accept this payment..."

The same message would also include a bogus phishing link or URL made to appear like a relief organization or state agency. In certain circumstances, it would directly copied the "IRS.gov 'Get My Payment'" website, the IRS notice stated.

The federal agency said, though, it would never ask for bank account information for a deposit to be made. More so, it said it is not sending unsolicited messages, be it via a text or an email.

Criminals Taking Advantage of the COVID-19 Crisis

According to Chuck Rettig, IRS Commissioner, criminals persistently use the COVID-19 crisis, as well as the "Economic Impact Payments" as cover in an attempt to trick taxpayers out not just of their money, but of their identities, too.

This scam, said Rettig, is a new twist on those they've seen much of in 2020, and thus, they urge the public to stay vigilant to these types of frauds or scams.

The IRS also asked that those who receive the deceptive text message take a screenshot and immediately report and send it to phishing@irs.gov.

The agency added to be sure to indicate the date, time, and time zone the scam text message was received. They should not forget including too, the number that sent the message, as well as the mobile number that received it.

This is not the first time that news about the second round of stimulus checks spread. In mid-June, there had been reports that "Stimulus check 2" was still up for decision by the then Trump administration.

In relation to the said report, the Senate at that time was expected to decide a couple of weeks after the news came out. There was an update after that, suggesting that the Senate was uncertain if such a "second round of financial aid" was indeed needed.