Issued: 04/11/2020
Location: Chuuk, Pohnpei, Yap and Kosrae States
Event: The Internal Revenue Service urges taxpayers to beware of telephone calls and email phishing attempts relating to COVID-19. These can lead to tax-related fraud and identity theft. Taxpayers should also look out for suspicious websites, text messages, and social media messages that request money or personal information.
For more information, please see the Internal Revenue Service’s press release.
We understand the stimulus checks are a matter of great interest to many. The State Department, and thus the U.S. Embassy are not in charge of these payments, and all specific questions should be sent to the Internal Revenue Service. More information can be found here on the IRS’ website: https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus-tax-relief-and-economic-impact-payments.
Actions to Take:
- Forward unsolicited emails, text messages, or social media attempts to gather information that claim to be from either the IRS or an organization closely linked to the IRS, such as the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS), to phishing@irs.gov.
- Do not engage potential scammers online or on the phone. Learn more about reporting suspected scams by going to the Report Phishing and Online Scams page at www.irs.gov.
- Find official IRS information about the COVID-19 pandemic and economic impact payments at https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus.
Assistance:
U.S. Embassy Kolonia
1286 U.S. Embassy Place, Pohnpei
Kolonia, Federated States of Micronesia
Phone: +691 320-2187 or +691 920-2369 (after hours)
Email: KoloniaACS@state.gov
State Department – Consular Affairs
888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444
Federated States of Micronesia Country Information
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