Another threatening text message scam is making its way around the state and that include Tate County.
The Mississippi Department of Revenue (MDOR) is experiencing a surge in reports of a scam claiming a resident’s tax refund request has been processed and approved. It includes a request to supply payment information so can funds can be deposited into your bank account or a paper check can be mailed to your address.
Officials warn these scams are designed to trick recipients into providing personal details, banking information, and credit card numbers. MDOR never requests payment or personal banking information through a text message.
“These texts are not from the Mississippi Department of Revenue and are not legitimate,” an MDOR official said.
If you receive one of these phishing texts, the MDOR advises taking the following steps:
• Do not click on any links in the text.
• Do not respond to the text.
• Delete the text immediately.
Over the summer, MDOR reported a huge uptick of calls regarding messages demanding payment for outstanding toll charges, fines owed, and unpaid traffic violations.
These scams almost always send messages that require immediate response and typically have a +63 before the actual phone number of the sender.
If you receive a scam text, report it to MDOR at 601-923-7700.
