Fraud Watch May 2026: GA Tax Surplus, Fake Email Receipts, and Party Invites

This month, we’re clarifying why the Georgia tax surplus refunds are completely legitimate. We are also warning you about two common scams: fake email receipts to gain access to your bank information, and fake party invitations designed to steal your email password.

Georgia Tax Surplus — Not a Scam

The state of Georgia returned over $1 billion in tax surplus money this year. If you recently received an unexpected deposit in your bank account from the State of Georgia, it is likely not a scam. The state is currently issuing special tax refunds of $250 to $500 to eligible taxpayers out of a budget surplus. These payments are being sent automatically to Georgians who filed tax returns for both the 2024 and 2025 tax years. If you set up direct deposit for your regular tax refund, this surplus payment will arrive the same way; otherwise, you will receive a paper check in the mail.

You do not need to click any links, pay any fees, or provide personal information to claim this money. If anyone contacts you asking you to do so, that is a scam.

Fake Email Receipt Scams

Fake email receipt scams are fraudulent messages designed to trick people into believing they made a purchase or subscription payment they never authorized. These emails often imitate well-known companies such as Amazon, PayPal, or Norton and include fake invoices, renewal notices, or order confirmations. Scammers use urgent language, alarming charges, and fake customer support numbers or malicious links to pressure victims into calling, clicking, or providing sensitive personal and financial information. The goal is often to steal login credentials, install malware, or gain access to bank accounts and credit cards.

How to Avoid Fake Email Receipt Scams:

• Verify purchases directly on the company’s official website or app rather than clicking links in emails.
• Avoid calling phone numbers or opening attachments included in suspicious receipts or invoices.
• Check the sender’s email address carefully and look for signs of phishing, such as spelling errors, urgent threats, or unusual payment requests.

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Party Invitation Scams

Summer parties and events are here, and scammers are sending fake party invitations via email or text that appear to be from a friend or a legitimate event service. When you click the link to view the invitation or RSVP, you are directed to a fake login page that asks for your email username and password (like Gmail, Yahoo, or Outlook). This is a phishing scam designed to steal your login information, giving fraudsters access to your email account, personal information, and potentially other linked accounts.

How to Avoid Party Invite Scams:

• Never enter your email password to view an invitation, RSVP, or open a link. Legitimate party invitation services, like Evite and Partiful, do not require your email password.
• If you receive an unexpected invitation from someone you know, contact them directly (by phone or a separate message) to verify they actually sent it.
• If a party invitation asks you to log in with your email username and password, close the internet browser window immediately.

Explore our Fraud Center to stay ahead of scams and learn what to do if you suspect fraud is happening to you.