beautiful_dragon
February 1st, 2008, 10:41 pm
Phone calls and e-mails from senders disguised as the IRS have become a problem for consumers. Electronic fraud, called phishing, tricks victims into providing certain personal and financial information while posing as the tax agency. The IRS reminds taxpayers that it does not send out unsolicited e-mails or make phone calls asking for detailed personal and financial information. Additionally, the IRS NEVER asks people via phone or e-mail for their PINs, passwords or similar secret access information for their credit cards, banks or other financial accounts. Here are a few recent phishing variations to be aware of and avoid:
Although the government has not yet enacted an economic stimulus package in which the IRS would provide advance payments (rebates) to many Americans, a scam which uses the proposed rebates as bait has already cropped up. In that scam, consumers receive a phone call from someone identifying himself as an IRS employee. The caller tells the targeted victim that he is eligible for a sizable rebate for filing his taxes early. The caller then states that he needs the target's bank account information for the direct deposit of the rebate. If the target refuses, he is told that he can't receive the rebate. THIS PHONE CALL IS A SCAM. No legislation has yet been enacted that would allow the IRS to provide advance payments to taxpayers or that determines the details of those payments.
The IRS has seen several variations of a refund-related bogus e-mail which falsely claims to come from the IRS, tells the recipient that he or she is eligible for a tax refund for a specific amount, and instructs the recipient to click on a link in the e-mail to access a refund claim form. The form asks the recipient to enter personal information that the scamsters can then use to access the e-mail recipient's bank or credit card account. In a new twist, the current version of the refund scam includes 2 paragraphs that appear to be directed toward tax-exempt organizations that distribute funds to other organizations or individuals. The e-mail contains the name and supposed signature of the Director of the IRS's Exempt Organizations business division. THIS E-MAIL IS PHONY.
If you have received any of these phone calls or e-mails, you can contact the IRS fraud hotline at 1-800-829-0433. Do not enter your personal information the links provided within them or open any of their attachments. You can also forward any suspicious e-mails to the IRS at phishing@irs.gov (phishing@irs.gov).
Although the government has not yet enacted an economic stimulus package in which the IRS would provide advance payments (rebates) to many Americans, a scam which uses the proposed rebates as bait has already cropped up. In that scam, consumers receive a phone call from someone identifying himself as an IRS employee. The caller tells the targeted victim that he is eligible for a sizable rebate for filing his taxes early. The caller then states that he needs the target's bank account information for the direct deposit of the rebate. If the target refuses, he is told that he can't receive the rebate. THIS PHONE CALL IS A SCAM. No legislation has yet been enacted that would allow the IRS to provide advance payments to taxpayers or that determines the details of those payments.
The IRS has seen several variations of a refund-related bogus e-mail which falsely claims to come from the IRS, tells the recipient that he or she is eligible for a tax refund for a specific amount, and instructs the recipient to click on a link in the e-mail to access a refund claim form. The form asks the recipient to enter personal information that the scamsters can then use to access the e-mail recipient's bank or credit card account. In a new twist, the current version of the refund scam includes 2 paragraphs that appear to be directed toward tax-exempt organizations that distribute funds to other organizations or individuals. The e-mail contains the name and supposed signature of the Director of the IRS's Exempt Organizations business division. THIS E-MAIL IS PHONY.
If you have received any of these phone calls or e-mails, you can contact the IRS fraud hotline at 1-800-829-0433. Do not enter your personal information the links provided within them or open any of their attachments. You can also forward any suspicious e-mails to the IRS at phishing@irs.gov (phishing@irs.gov).