Financial Crime World

Financial Crimes on the Rise in US Virgin Islands

St. Thomas, USVI - As the second round of Economic Impact Payments (EIP) continues to roll out, authorities are warning taxpayers about a surge in COVID-19-related scams and financial schemes designed to steal money and personal information from innocent people.

Warning from Authorities

According to the United States Attorney for the District of the Virgin Islands, Gretchen C.F. Shappert, and Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s (IRS) Criminal Investigation Miami Field Office, Tyler R. Hatcher, these scams are taking advantage of the pandemic to trick taxpayers out of their hard-earned money.

“Con artists and scammers are using every opportunity to take advantage of innocent people,” Shappert said. “We urge all Americans to protect their personal information, especially during tax season, and to be cautious of ’too-good-to-be-true’ claims related to COVID-19 and Economic Payment scams.”

Hatcher warned that economic relief efforts are meant to assist those in need who have been affected by the pandemic, but criminals see these funds as an easy target. “We have other plans for those who try to prey on the public,” he said. “Report any suspicious phone calls, emails, or text messages asking for your personal information or offering a deal that seems too good to be true.”

Common COVID-19 Scams

Some common COVID-19 scams include:

  • Text message scams: Text messages asking taxpayers to disclose bank account information under the guise of receiving EIPs.
  • Phishing schemes: Email, letters, and social media messages with key words such as “Coronavirus,” “COVID-19,” and “stimulus.”
  • Fake medical products: The sale of fake at-home COVID-19 test kits or offers to sell fake cures, vaccines, pills, and professional medical advice regarding unproven treatments.
  • Fake donation requests: Fake donation requests for individuals, groups, and areas heavily affected by the disease.
  • Bogus investment opportunities: Bogus opportunities to invest in companies developing COVID-19 vaccines.

Protecting Yourself

Taxpayers can help protect themselves by being aware of how the IRS communicates with them. The IRS does not send unsolicited texts or emails, demand tax payments on gift cards, or threaten jail or lawsuits.

If you receive suspicious messages, report them to the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 1-866-720-5721 or submit a complaint through their Web Form. You can also report fraud or theft of EIPs to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA).

Staying Safe

Stay safe from COVID-19 scams and other financial schemes by visiting IRS.gov and checking out the Coronavirus Tax Relief page, which is updated frequently with official information about EIPs.