An aggressive smishing campaign is targeting New Yorkers by sending fraudulent text messages that claim to offer an "Inflation Refund" from the Department of Taxation and Finance. The scam is designed to trick victims into clicking a malicious link and surrendering their sensitive personal and financial data.
The Phishing Hook and Data Theft
The scammers are leveraging the name of a real New York State initiative, the Inflation Refund, which automatically sends checks to eligible taxpayers who meet income requirements and have filed a return. Crucially, legitimate recipients do not need to apply, sign up, or provide any information to receive their check.
The phishing texts, however, demand immediate action, claiming the recipient's "refund request has been processed and approved" and urging them to "provide accurate payment information by September 29, 2025," under threat of permanently forfeiting the funds. Clicking the link directs the victim to a convincing but fake Department of Taxation and Finance page. The subsequent prompt asks for a full range of personal data, including name, address, phone number, and Social Security Number, which the fraudsters then use for identity theft and financial fraud.
Official Warnings
Governor Kathy Hochul's office issued a warning about the scam, which uses texts, emails, and direct mail. The Governor explicitly stated that the Tax Department and the IRS will never call or text individuals for personal information. The New York Department of Taxation and Finance reinforced this warning, advising New Yorkers to remain vigilant.
To protect themselves, recipients should avoid clicking on links from unexpected emails or texts, hang up on any tax-related calls, and never agree to meet anyone in person to discuss tax payments. Anyone who receives this scam or has fallen victim to it should report it immediately to the Tax Department or the IRS.
Found this article interesting? Follow us on X(Twitter) ,Threads and FaceBook to read more exclusive content we post.
