Phishing scams by IRS imposters multiply
Taxpayers continue to be targeted by email scams, the IRS warned, after discovering several recent spikes in online "phishing" by identity thieves. All scams play upon the stated or implied pretense of being official IRS correspondence that asks for personal information.
Refund phishing The most recent email scams tell recipients that they are owed a federal tax refund. Taxpayers are instructed to jump to a website to "claim" their refund. The website appears to be the genuine IRS site but in reality is a fake site created by scam artists.
On the fake website, taxpayers are asked to submit personal and financial information, especially PIN numbers and passwords for credit card and bank account numbers, so the IRS can process their refund. Thieves use this information to steal the taxpayer's identity, run up charges on credit cards, empty bank accounts, and even file fraudulent tax returns.
"The IRS does not send out unsolicited e-mails asking for personal information," IRS Commissioner Mark Everson strongly reminded taxpayers. "Don't be taken in by these criminals."
EFTPS phishing
A second IRS-related scam making the rounds also involves phishing e-mail. It is the first known to mention the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS), an electronic tax payment system through which businesses can make all of their federal tax deposits or payments. The scam e-mail claims that the recipient's credit card has been enrolled in the EFTPS and also that there have been fraud attempts involving the recipient's bank account. The recipient is asked to click on a link for assistance. In reality, the linked site attempts to collect personal information that could be used to steal the recipient's identity.
The IRS reiterated that it does not send out unsolicited e-mails or ask for detailed personal information via e-mail.
The IRS and the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration have discovered that many phishing schemes originate outside the U.S. Federal investigators have tracked these scams to websites in Asia, Europe, Oceania, and South America.
"EDU" phishing
Individuals working in education or who are recent college graduates should be especially aware of the danger from scam artists masquerading as the IRS. Those with email addresses ending in "edu" appear to be heavily targeted in the current wave of phishing, the IRS reported. "Edu" suffixes are used by individuals having email accounts through educational organizations, such as colleges and universities.
If you suspect a phishing expedition, please feel free to contact this office immediately for assistance. We can help you separate a legitimate IRS request from impostures and respond appropriately.