IRS crypto scam letters targeting cryptocurrency holders are being sent out disguised as official notices from the Internal Revenue Service, prompting authorities to warn recipients not to scan QR codes included in the mailings.
The IRS Criminal Investigation division recently warned that fake letters designed to resemble official IRS notices are being randomly mailed to cryptocurrency holders.
The letters falsely claim that recipients must report their digital assets to the IRS and instruct them to register with a so-called “Digital Asset Compliance Portal” before a specified deadline.
IRS Crypto Scam Uses QR Codes to Redirect Victims
Recipients who scan the QR code printed on the letter are directed to a fraudulent website designed to closely imitate the official IRS website.
Although the site is made to look virtually identical to the IRS homepage, checking the web address reveals that it does not use the agency’s official IRS.gov domain.
The fraudulent website then prompts users to enter personal information, cryptocurrency wallet details and login credentials for cryptocurrency exchange accounts.
Scammers can use the information obtained through the site to steal cryptocurrency from victims.
IRS Criminal Investigation Chief Jarod Koopman urged recipients to verify the source of any unexpected request for personal information or instructions and to report suspicious scams.
He also warned recipients not to scan the QR code or enter any personal information on the fraudulent website.
