Mass Department of Revenue Cautions Public to Beware of Text Scams

Print Story | Email Story
BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Revenue (DOR) is warning the public about text messages that appear to be from DOR and ask for payment or sensitive information, such as credit card numbers. 
 
DOR strongly advises recipients to avoid clicking on any links in these messages.
 
Recently, a wave of text messages—in Massachusetts and other states—falsely claimed taxpayers would be disqualified from receiving refunds if they did not submit the required payment information by September 19, 2025.
 
"If you receive a message urging you to respond quickly or click on a link, please do not reply or click the link. DOR does not send text messages about tax refunds," said Revenue Commissioner Geoffrey Snyder. "Scammers often create a sense of urgency to manipulate you or generate links that look like official website names and URLs. If you need to conduct an online transaction with DOR, please visit mass.gov/dor."
 
You can protect yourself by reporting identity theft to law enforcement, creditors, credit agencies, and government agencies. 
 
Please call our Contact Center at (617) 887-6367 or (800) 392-6089 (toll-free in Massachusetts) or email prohelp@dor.state.ma.us if you have any questions.  
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Companion Corner: Freya, Fudge & Charlotte

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — If looking for the perfect feline pet, why not triple the fun? There's a threesome at Berkshire Humane Society waiting for a family to call their own.

iBerkshire's Companion Corner is a weekly series spotlighting an animal in our local shelters that is ready to find a home.

We highlighted Freya, Charlotte and Fudge last month and they are still looking for their new home together. 

Kittens Fudge and Charlotte and their mother, Freya, have been at the shelter and in a foster home since April. All three have tested positive for Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV), often described as feline HIV/AIDS

Feline/small animal adoption counselor Alyssa Petell introduced us to them. 

"They originally were brought in from animal control. The conditions weren't the best in the home. But when they came in, they were tested positive for feline AIDS (FIV). We do send our kittens normally to foster programs to get socialized with the mom. So they got sent to a foster program for about two months to get socialized," she said.

The shelter preferably would like the three to as a family, and to a home with respectful children that will keep them inside.

"We would prefer if they could all go together, but they are a very sweet trio of kitties. They would have to be indoor only because of them being feline AIDS positive," Petell said. "It is OK for them to go into a home with other cats. We prefer if they go into a home with feline AIDS-positive cats, but even if they are negative for feline AIDS, as long as they're not actively scratching each other and biting each other to transmit it, then it should be OK."

Each cat has their own personality. The two kittens love to play with an abundance of toys; one is shy and the other is outgoing. They both like to curl up and sleep in your lap once they get to know you.

It turns out that Fudge is actually a girl. In our previous article, he was mistakenly identified as a boy. 

View Full Story

More Pittsfield Stories