One of the newest tax scams involves criminals sending text messages about tax refunds. The texts say that you will forfeit your tax refund if you don’t provide your bank account information for direct deposit using a link. When you click that link, your account information can be stolen and used to take money from your account.

The text messages start out sounding official: 

"Your refund request has been processed and approved. Please provide accurate payment information by September 16, 2025." 

Then they include language that creates a sense of urgency: 

"Failure to submit the required payment information by September 16, 2025, will result in permanent forfeiture of this refund under Minnesota Statute 5747.11." 

Criminals may even use a different approach with their text scams, saying that you won a grant instead of qualifying for a refund. Taxpayers in states as close as Virginia have been hit with this scam, so it’s only a matter of time before they target North Carolinians.  

But never fear. You can stop this scam in its tracks by remembering a few simple facts: 

• The NC Department of Revenue does not communicate about tax refunds with text messages. If you receive a text about your tax refund, delete it immediately before responding.
• Don’t click on links in text messages if you don’t clearly recognize the sender. Links in fraudulent text messages or emails are how criminals can steal your identity.
• If you have questions (or doubts) about a text message, phone call, letter, email, or any other communication that appears to come from the NC Department of Revenue, call us to confirm it at 1-877-252-3052, during normal business hours. 

Learn how to protect yourself from other tax-related fraud schemes and how to prevent tax-related identity theft.