IRS Warns of Tax Season Scams
As millions of Americans prepare their tax returns, scamsters are also at work posing as the IRS. In late January, the IRS warned taxpayers to be wary of e-mailers or callers claiming to be from the IRS and asking for personal and financial information. Identity thieves can use such information to drain a victim's financial accounts and run up charges on credit cards in the victim's name.
Talk of tax rebates prompts new scam
This year, in particular, the IRS cautioned taxpayers to be on guard against scams using the proposed tax rebates, part of an economic stimulus plan, as a lure. Even before the plan had approval, the agency said it is already aware of one such scheme.
The come-on: A telephone caller tells prospective victims that they are eligible for large rebates for filing their taxes early; they just need to share their bank account numbers. If they refuse, the caller tells them they can't receive the rebates.
The real deal: The IRS does not gather information by phone. Taxpayers who choose can have their refunds deposited directly into their bank accounts - but only if they provide account numbers when filing their tax returns.
The IRS has identified other types of scams:
Refund e-Mail
Bogus e-mails falsely claiming to be from the IRS tell recipients they are eligible for tax refunds in specific amounts, if they click on a link within the e-mail to access a refund claim form. The form then asks for personal or financial information.
Audit e-Mail
The come-on: An e-mail tells recipients (who might even be addressed by name) that their tax returns will be audited and instructs them to click on links and enter personal information.
The real deal: The IRS does not send unsolicited e-mails to taxpayers.
Changes to tax law e-mail
The come-on: E-mails are sent to businesses and accountants instructing them to download information on tax changes.
The real deal: Recipients could be unknowingly downloading malware onto their computers, which could provide scamsters with access to those computers and the ability to extract sensitive information for fraudulent purposes. The only legitimate IRS web addresses begin with http://www.irs.gov.
Anyone receiving a questionable e-mail claiming to be from the IRS can forward it to a mailbox set up by the IRS: phishing@irs.gov.
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