IRS Consumer Alert: Tax Refund Email Scam
The IRS has issued a consumer alert regarding a tax refund email scam.
The email claims to be from the IRS (tax refunds @irs.gov) and informs people of a supposed tax refund. There is a link in the email that if clicked requests personal information from the recipient. However, it does NOT go to the IRS website. Once the spammers get ahold of your bank/credit card, social security number, etc. information they use it to make illegal purchases. Another form of "phishing" and identity theft.
The Internal Revenue Service will not ask for personally identifiable information via email. They also do not request that you fill out a special form to receive a refund.
If you receive this email there are a few things that you need to do:
1. Do not open any attachments contained in it.
2. Call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to determine if you do have a refund due to you or if the IRS is trying to reach you concerning a refund.
3. Never give out any personal information via email if you are not sure who it is from, even if it looks real. Call the IRS and conduct your business with them either over the telephone or via snail mail.
For more information concerning this and other attempts to defraud the public check out the Criminal Enforcement Page at the IRS website: IRS.GOV.
The email claims to be from the IRS (tax refunds @irs.gov) and informs people of a supposed tax refund. There is a link in the email that if clicked requests personal information from the recipient. However, it does NOT go to the IRS website. Once the spammers get ahold of your bank/credit card, social security number, etc. information they use it to make illegal purchases. Another form of "phishing" and identity theft.
The Internal Revenue Service will not ask for personally identifiable information via email. They also do not request that you fill out a special form to receive a refund.
If you receive this email there are a few things that you need to do:
1. Do not open any attachments contained in it.
2. Call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to determine if you do have a refund due to you or if the IRS is trying to reach you concerning a refund.
3. Never give out any personal information via email if you are not sure who it is from, even if it looks real. Call the IRS and conduct your business with them either over the telephone or via snail mail.
For more information concerning this and other attempts to defraud the public check out the Criminal Enforcement Page at the IRS website: IRS.GOV.
posted by Mama Arika at 8:08 AM
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