Fraudulent Texts Target Pennsylvanians in Refund Scam

The Pennsylvanians Department of Revenue issued a warning this week about a phishing scam involving fraudulent text messages that impersonate Revenue officials and attempt to trick recipients into sharing sensitive personal and financial information.

Similar reports have surfaced in Philadelphia, where the city’s Department of Revenue has also seen residents targeted by deceptive texts. These messages often include links to fake websites and request banking details under the pretense of processing a refund.

Officials advise all taxpayers to verify the status of their refund only through official channels. Taxpayers can check the status of their refunds online by visiting the department’s official online tax hub, myPATH, or by calling 1-888-PATAXES. Taxpayers will be prompted to provide their Social Security number and requested refund amount to obtain the current status.

To protect yourself:

• Do not click on links from unknown or suspicious senders.

• Never share your Social Security number, bank account details or other personal information via text.

• Report suspicious messages or calls to the Department of Revenue at 717-425-2495, Ext. 72267.

To verify potentially fraudulent contact from the department or to report suspicious activity,