IRS Warns Crypto Holders: Scammers Are Sending Fake Letters to Steal Assets or Data

Odaily, according to Bloomberg, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has warned crypto asset holders that scammers are contacting some taxpayers by mailing counterfeit letters in an attempt to steal their digital assets or personal data.

The IRS stated that these letters may ask taxpayers to register for a so-called "Digital Asset Compliance Portal," but this portal does not exist. The IRS also reminded users not to scan suspicious QR codes or answer or comply with phone calls demanding payment.

While phishing and digital scams are nothing new in the crypto industry, sending fake IRS notifications through physical mail appears to be a novel tactic. Since the IRS has previously sent letters related to digital assets to taxpayers, and the volume of crypto tax filing notices surged last year, many taxpayers have become confused. Scammers may be exploiting this familiarity to disguise their fraudulent activities.

As the US tax system requires taxpayers to disclose crypto asset activities on their tax returns, communication between the IRS and digital asset holders has become more common. This also makes fake tax notices more deceptive. For crypto users, encountering "IRS letters" involving portal registration, QR code scanning, wallet connection, or payment demands warrants extreme caution. Verification through official channels is crucial.