IRS warns crypto holders fraudster sending fake letters in attempt to steal digital assets or data: Bloomberg

The U.S. Internal Revenue Service is warning crypto holders that scammers are mailing counterfeit letters to some taxpayers in an effort to steal their digital assets or data, according to Bloomberg.

Letters may direct taxpayers to register for a fake "Digital Asset Compliance Portal," the IRS said, adding that no such portal exists, according to the report. The agency has also said to avoid scanning QR codes or taking calls from people seeking payment.

While phishing and other digital scams are nothing new in the crypto industry, the use of physical mail appears to be a new tactic. The IRS has previously sent letters to taxpayers regarding digital assets, and last year a surge in notices related to crypto reporting created confusion for thousands of taxpayers.

Increasingly, the IRS has become accustomed to dealing with digital asset holders as it requires taxpayers to disclose crypto activity on their tax returns. That has made IRS correspondence regarding digital assets more familiar than in years past.

Crypto-related scams are still prevalent across the digital assets sector. Earlier this week, Blockaid said crypto projects lost more than $1 billion to hacks during the first half of 2026. In the report, Blockaid said the first half of 2026 was the "most-hacked half-year on record," referring to the number of incidents rather than the value stolen.

Another physical scheme involving trying to steal crypto is the so-called "wrench attacks." Wrench attacks refer to physical assaults or extortion used to force victims to surrender their crypto. Certik reported this month that during the first half of this year, there had been over 50 wrench attacks, with the most occurring in Europe.