The Illinois Department of Revenue is warning taxpayers about a new nationwide text message scam that uses fraudulent messages appearing to come from state revenue or treasury agencies.

The phishing scheme involves unsolicited text messages claiming that a tax refund has been processed, according to a news release from the department. The messages urge recipients to provide or verify their banking information under the threat of losing their refund.

“There has been a significant rise in fake text messages impersonating state revenue departments,” IDOR Director David Harris said in a statement. “These scams are designed to deceive taxpayers and pressure them into revealing their most sensitive financial information. Let me be very clear that IDOR does not send unsolicited text messages as

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