Texts and emails that say your tax refund is ready to claim
Federal Trade CommissionNationwide
On January 22, 2026, the FTC warned that tax season brings texts and emails about a refund you should not answer. The messages often look like they come from the IRS or a state tax office and say a refund has been processed or approved. That is not how a real refund notice works. A link then asks you to verify your identity with a Social Security number and bank account so the money can be sent.
The FTC says the IRS and state tax offices will not text, email, or use social media to collect that information. People who click and fill in the form can have a refund stolen or have other accounts opened in their name.
Red flags
- A text or email says the IRS or a state tax office processed or approved your refund.
- A link asks you to verify your identity with a Social Security number or bank account.
- The message arrives on social media as well as by text or email.
- You are told this is how you find out whether a refund is real.
How to protect yourself
- Do not reply and do not click the link. The real IRS and state tax offices do not collect your information this way.
- Check a refund through instructions on usa.gov not through a link in the message. The FTC specifically pointed readers to USA.gov for federal and state refund status.
- Mark the email as spam, or forward the text to 7726, then delete it.
If you are hit
- If you clicked the link or entered personal details, go to identitytheft.gov
- The FTC also suggests identitytheft.gov/steps for steps you can take before identity theft spreads.
- Report the message at reportfraud.ftc.gov even if you did not lose money.
Questions
Is Texts and emails that say your tax refund is ready to claim a scam?
On January 22, 2026, the FTC warned that tax season brings texts and emails about a refund you should not answer. The messages often look like they come from the IRS or a state tax office and say a refund has been processed or approved. That is not how a real refund notice works. A link then asks you to verify your identity with a Social Security number and bank account so the money can be sent. This page summarizes a public warning from Federal Trade Commission dated January 22, 2026. The linked source is the record.
What should I do if I fell for it?
If you clicked the link or entered personal details, go to https://www.identitytheft.gov. The FTC also suggests https://www.identitytheft.gov/steps for steps you can take before identity theft spreads. Report the message at https://reportfraud.ftc.gov even if you did not lose money.
Sources
- That text or email about your tax refund is a scamFTC Consumer Advice
This summary is informational and not legal advice. If it and the linked source disagree, follow the source.
Related alerts
- Callers pretending the FTC will shut off your phone numberOctober 22, 2026
- Midterm pitches that sell donations, merchandise, or fake voter pagesOctober 15, 2026
- Calls from fake officers demanding payment to clear a crimeSeptember 17, 2026
More from Consumer Shield Daily
This alert is one page on Consumer Shield Daily. The main site publishes the wider consumer brief.
More consumer protection news