Fourth stimulus check latest: IRS is warning about these payment scams after receiving record number of complaints

AMERICANS have been warned about stimulus check scams after the IRS received record numbers of complaints in June and July.

The warning comes just days before millions of households receive their next child tax credit payment on September 15.

Officials at the IRS say they have seen a rise in phishing scams throughout the summer months, according to WGN-TV.

Security bosses at IBM have seen a 6,000 percent increase in Covid spam since the World Health Organization declared the virus outbreak a pandemic last March.

Jim Lee, the head of the IRS’s Criminal Investigation Division, said: “The number of reported scam attempts reached levels we haven’t seen in more than a decade.

“More than ever it is important for taxpayers to continue to protect their personal information and not fall victim to these scams.”

Scammers are trying to trick unsuspected Americans into giving out their personal details.

Tricksters are also sending malicious texts to families telling them that they have qualified for a stimulus payment.

They say to claim the check Americans must click on a link and send their details.

In light of these scams, the IRS has warned taxpayers that the agency does not send out unsolicited texts or emails.

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The agency doesn't instruct Americans to pay for checks via cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin.

Officials at the IRS have warned taxpayers to be vigilant and have encouraged Americans to spot grammatical and spelling errors.

They say that such errors are indicators of fraud.

And, people should be wary about clicking on shortened links as it could lead to fake websites, according to the IRS.

Any taxpayer who thinks they have fallen victim to a phishing attack should forward the message to phishing@irs.gov.

If it relates to their stimulus payment, Americans should report the incident to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration via the website TIPS.TIGTA.GOV.

The warning comes just days before some taxpayers will receive their next installment of child tax credits.

Parents with kids under the age of six will receive a cash boost of up to $300 per child from September 15.

Meanwhile, the amount for kids between the ages of six and 17 is $250.

A fourth stimulus check currently remains unlikely despite constant pressure from Democratic lawmakers and sections of the American public.

The last round of checks, worth up to $1,400, was approved in March as part of the American Rescue Plan.

Struggling Americans are pushing for payments worth up to $2,000 as the Delta Covid variant continues to wreak havoc across the country.