Crime

Territory's U.S. Attorney's Office, IRS Criminal Investigation Unit, B.I.R. and Others Warn Taxpayers to be on Alert for Scams Related to Coronavirus Economic Impact Payments

U.S. Attorney Gretchen C.F. Shappert, Special Agent in Charge Michael J. De Palma of the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), Director Joel A. Lee of the VI Bureau of Internal Revenue (the Bureau) and V.I. Attorney General Denise N. George, today warned taxpayers to be alert to possible scams relating to COVID-19, especially in connection with economic impact payments. The announcement is an effort to prevent taxpayers from being victimized by criminals using the recently approved COVID-19 payments as an opportunity to commit a crime, the U.S. Attorney's Office said. “Fraudsters who prey on vulnerable victims will be held accountable for their criminal conduct. Federal law enforcement and federal prosecutors urge the public to be aware of scams associated with the COVID-19 crisis and schemes designed to interfere with receipt of legitimate federal tax refunds and COVID-19 economic impact payments. We urge all Americans to be vigilant and to report any suspicio...