Grassley Asks TIGTA to Educate Public on COVID-19 Fraud

April 6, 2020

The Hon. J. Russell George
Inspector General for Tax Administration
City Center Building
1401 H Street NW, Suite 469
Washington, D.C. 20005

Dear Inspector General George:

Amidst the COVID-19 outbreak, the last couple weeks have obviously been a very challenging time for Americans. Sadly, one of the unfortunate realities at times like these is that scam artists will employ whatever tactics they can to defraud unsuspecting and hardworking Americans.

I am writing to ask that your office take every reasonable effort to educate Americans about the ways in which scammers and fraudsters might try to cheat them out of their money and their benefits during this time of unprecedented need. Furthermore, please make every effort to let the public know about your office's continued ability to field tips about potential fraud surrounding the IRS and other government agencies and benefits provided under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act.

I understand scammers are already contacting innocent Americans by impersonating IRS or Treasury Department officials, offering so-called COVID-19-related assistance that requires the sharing of personal financial information. These scammers then use that information to steal from their unsuspecting victims. This sort of criminal activity not only steals hard-earned money from honest Americans at this time of acute need, but it also sows distrust in government programs, such as the forthcoming recovery rebates of $1,200 or more that the IRS will be providing to millions of Americans in the coming days and weeks.

I also ask that you brief the Finance Committee on TIGTA's work to prevent and detect COVID-19-related fraud at the earliest practical time in the near future. Should you have any questions, please contact John Schoenecker on my staff at (202) 224-4515.

Sincerely,

Charles E. Grassley
Chairman
Senate Committee on Finance

cc:
Ron Wyden
Ranking Member
Senate Committee on Finance