The Delaware Department of Finance and the Division of Revenue are alerting residents to a surge in fraudulent text messages impersonating the Division of Revenue and attempting to steal personal and financial information.
According to officials, the scam messages claim that a taxpayer’s refund “has been processed and approved” and instructs the recipients to provide “valid payment information” by a certain deadline. They also falsely warn that the refund will be forfeited if no response is received.
“These messages are not from the Division of Revenue,” a press release from the state read. “The Division never sends text messages asking taxpayers to verify personal or financial information, and refunds are never forfeited for lack of response. We want Delawareans to know that these texts are part of a phishing scam designed to trick people into giving away sensitive data.”
Officials emphasized that residents should not click any links or reply to the messages. As an added protection, taxpayers can check the status of any refund by contacting the Division of Revenue directly by calling 302-577-8200.
The Department of Finance explained that scammers often use these tactics to get personal information. The messages have a sense of urgency and prey on the fear individuals may have about receiving refunds or other payments from the state. Older residents are particularly vulnerable to such tactics as the scammers may have a name, phone number or other identifying information that make the message seem legitimate.
“The scammers are getting more sophisticated,” finance officials said. “They know that tax refunds can be emotional and time sensitive. That’s why it’s so important for taxpayers to pause, verify and never respond impulsively to these kinds of messages.”
There are tips that can protect you from such scams, the department advised. Scammers rely on urgency to prompt you to make a mistake. Take time to review any unexpected message before responding. Always verify the source of a message and never use contact details from a suspicious text. Instead, visit the Division of Revenue website or log into your official tax portal to confirm if a message is legitimate.
Watch for red flags such as vague messages or those missing specific account information. Legitimate notices from the division always include verifiable contact and tax details. Never share your personal or financial details through unsolicited messages. Always use secure, verifiable channels to communicate with the state.
For more information or to report suspicious activity, call 302-577-8200 or visit them online.
