Philadelphia Warns Residents About Fraudulent Text Messages
The Philadelphia Department of Revenue has issued a warning regarding fraudulent text messages that purport to be from the city and ask for personal financial information related to tax refunds.
Scam messages claim, “Your refund request has been processed and approved.” They urge recipients to provide accurate payment details by September 16, 2025, suggesting that funds can be deposited into a bank account or sent via a paper check within 1-2 business days.
The texts include a web address for individuals to submit their information.
Moreover, these fraudulent messages state, “If we do not receive the required payment information by September 16, 2025, we will permanently disqualify this refund under section 19322 of the Philadelphia Revenue and Taxation Code.”
The Philadelphia Department of Revenue acknowledges awareness of these scams and emphasizes that the texts are not legitimate. Their website notes, “We never request bank or refund information through text. Please proceed with caution and avoid clicking on links from unknown senders.”
For verified refund information, the department advises residents to visit Tax-Services.Phila.gov.
This warning from Philadelphia comes shortly after New Jersey alerted its residents to similar fraudulent messages, which also request financial information for expected tax refunds. Fraudulent texts that closely resemble these are reportedly being sent to taxpayers in various other states, including Ohio, Utah, and California.
Such messages represent a growing trend in “smishing,” where scammers use text messages to collect personal data. These scams often masquerade as fake job postings, package delivery alerts, or banking notifications, inundating the mobile devices of consumers across the U.S.
For many, these unwanted texts evolve into serious issues. In 2024, victims reported losses totaling approximately $470 million due to messaging fraud, as indicated by the Federal Trade Commission. This figure is significantly higher—about five times—compared to 2020.
Locally, individuals have seen fraudulent messages from various sources, including the Philadelphia Police Department and New Jersey’s Turnpikes, as well as local election offices and the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services. Fake messages from DHS have specifically targeted recipients of Medicaid and SNAP.
Experts advise consumers to refrain from engaging with unsolicited texts, especially those from unfamiliar numbers or that create a sense of urgency regarding personal information. It’s best not to click on any links or respond to these messages.
If you receive such a message and are unsure of its legitimacy, it’s recommended to look up the company or agency and call their official number directly instead of responding through the text.
Federal officials also encourage individuals to report spam texts, either through messaging apps or by forwarding the message to 7726, which translates to “SPAM.”
