State Warns Missourians: Tax Refund Texts Are Scams | The Locally Times
Deceptive texts promising tax refunds are flooding Missouri phones, warns the Department of Revenue, leading to phishing and malware risks.
A new wave of fraudulent text messages promising tax refunds is sweeping across Missouri, prompting an urgent warning from the Department of Revenue today, Thursday, March 26, 2026. Residents are urged to ignore these deceptive communications, which are designed to steal personal information or infect devices. ## Understanding the Threat These scam texts often contain malicious links, the Department of Revenue explains, designed to trick recipients into revealing personal information or installing malware. Engaging with these messages can lead directly to phishing attempts or device infection. The current alert specifically targets texts falsely promising tax refunds, exploiting individuals during the ongoing tax season. ## Pattern of Deception This latest warning about tax refund scams isn't an isolated incident; it follows a series of similar alerts from the Missouri Department of Revenue. ## Tax Season and Official Channels These scam warnings are particularly timely, coinciding with the ongoing tax season. The Missouri Department of Revenue began accepting 2025 tax returns on January 26, 2026. The Department emphasizes relying solely on official channels for all tax-related information and transactions. Residents must exercise extreme caution with any unsolicited digital communication claiming to be from the Department of Revenue, especially those requesting personal data or directing users to unfamiliar links. ## Key Questions **What should residents do if they receive a suspicious text message claiming to be from the Department of Revenue?** Residents should ignore the message and refrain from clicking any links included in the text, as these can lead to phishing attempts or malware installation. **How can residents verify official communications from the Missouri Department of Revenue?** Official information and services from the Department of Revenue are available through its official website or by contacting the Department directly through established channels. **When did the Department of Revenue begin accepting 2025 tax returns?** The Missouri Department of Revenue started accepting 2025 tax returns on January 26, 2026.