Virginia tax refund verification messages are usually scams, but the state does send real ones through official channels

The Virginia Department of Taxation does contact taxpayers about refunds, but only through the mail or through your account on the official Virginia tax website. If you received a text message, email, or phone call asking you to verify your refund or provide personal information, it is almost certainly a scam. The state never asks for your Social Security number, bank account details, or passwords through unsolicited contact.

Real Virginia refund communications come from tax.virginia.gov or a physical letter with the state seal. Scammers use urgency, threats of delays, and requests for "verification" to trick you into handing over information they can use to steal your identity or redirect your refund to their account.

Key Takeaways

  • Virginia Department of Taxation only contacts you about refunds by mail or through your secure account on tax.virginia.gov, never by unsolicited text, email, or phone call.
  • Legitimate refund messages never ask for your Social Security number, PIN, password, bank account number, or routing number.
  • Scammers use fake urgency ("Your refund will be delayed") and official-looking logos to make fraudulent messages seem real.
  • You can check your actual refund status for free on tax.virginia.gov by logging into your account or calling the Virginia Department of Taxation at 804-367-8031.

How Virginia actually contacts you about refunds

The Virginia Department of Taxation uses two legitimate channels: the mail and your online account. If the state needs to reach you about your refund, you will receive a letter at the address on file with your return. The letter will have the Virginia state seal and will come from the Department of Taxation office in Richmond.

You can also log into your account on tax.virginia.gov and check your refund status yourself without waiting for contact. The state does not send unsolicited emails or text messages asking you to verify information. If you receive one claiming to be from Virginia tax, it is a phishing attempt.

Red flags that mark a message as a scam

Scammers impersonating Virginia tax officials use several common tactics. They create urgency by claiming your refund will be delayed, frozen, or forfeited unless you act immediately. They may say there is a problem with your return that only you can fix by providing information right now.

Real red flags include requests for your Social Security number, PIN, password, or online banking credentials. The state already has your SSN from your return and will never ask for your password. Scammers also ask for bank account or routing numbers so they can redirect your refund to their account instead of yours. Legitimate refund messages never ask for any of this information.

Watch for poor grammar, misspelled words, or logos that look slightly off. Scammers often copy the state seal imperfectly or use generic government imagery. Links in emails or texts may look like they go to tax.virginia.gov but actually lead to a fake website designed to steal your login credentials.

How to verify a message before responding

If you receive a message claiming to be from Virginia tax, do not click any links or call any phone number in the message. Instead, go directly to tax.virginia.gov in your browser and log into your account to check your refund status. If there is a real issue, it will show up there.

You can also call the Virginia Department of Taxation directly at 804-367-8031 during business hours. Use the phone number from the official state website, not from the message you received. Tell them what you were contacted about and ask whether the state actually tried to reach you. The department can confirm whether a letter is on the way or whether the message is a scam.

If you already responded to a scam message or provided information, contact the Virginia Department of Taxation immediately and file a report with the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov. The sooner you report it, the faster the state can monitor your account for fraudulent activity.

What to do if you gave out information

If you provided your Social Security number, password, or bank account details to a scammer, act quickly. Call the Virginia Department of Taxation at 804-367-8031 and tell them what happened. They can flag your account and watch for attempts to file a fraudulent return or redirect your refund.

Contact your bank or credit card company and let them know your account information may have been compromised. Ask them to monitor your account for unauthorized transactions and consider placing a fraud alert or credit freeze with the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion). You can place a free fraud alert at any of their websites.

File a report with the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov. Include the phone number, email address, or website where you were scammed. The FTC uses these reports to track scam patterns and can share information with law enforcement.

Checking your Virginia refund status the right way

The safest way to check your refund is through your account on tax.virginia.gov. Log in with your username and password, and you will see the status of any refund you are owed. The status will tell you whether the refund is pending, approved, or has been sent.

You can also call 804-367-8031 and speak to someone at the Department of Taxation. Have your Social Security number and the tax year in question ready. They can tell you the exact status of your refund and when it should arrive. This is a free service and the only legitimate way to get refund information over the phone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Virginia tax send me a text or email about my refund?

No. The Virginia Department of Taxation only contacts taxpayers by mail or through your secure account on tax.virginia.gov. Any text, email, or phone call asking you to verify your refund or provide personal information is a scam. Do not respond or click any links.

What should I do if I clicked a link in a suspicious message?

Do not enter any information on the page that loaded. Close your browser immediately. Change your password on tax.virginia.gov if you use that site. Contact the Virginia Department of Taxation at 804-367-8031 to report what happened and ask them to monitor your account for fraud.

How long does a Virginia tax refund usually take?

Refunds typically arrive within 30 days of the state approving your return, though it can take longer during tax season. You can check the exact status on tax.virginia.gov or by calling 804-367-8031. The state will not contact you unless there is a problem with your return.

Is it safe to give my bank account number to Virginia tax?

Never give your bank account number to anyone who contacts you unsolicited, even if they claim to be from the state. Virginia tax already has your banking information if you set up direct deposit on your return. The state will never ask for it again through email, text, or phone.

What if I think I found a real Virginia tax website but I am not sure?

The official Virginia tax website is tax.virginia.gov. Check the address bar in your browser to make sure it says exactly that. Scammers create fake sites with similar names like tax-virginia.gov or virginiataxtax.gov. When in doubt, call 804-367-8031 to confirm you are on the right site.