IRS Email Scam

Online phishing has been prevalent recently with some new twists on the old schemes.  Scam artists are at work sending e-mails appearing to be legitimately from the IRS or the Treasury Department that solicit confidential information including Social Security Numbers, personal bank or credit card account information, passwords, and even passport information.  The most important thing to remember is that the IRS never uses e-mail correspondence to request any personal bank or credit card information. 

One of the latest phishing ploys involves e-mail correspondence that misrepresents the new “Making Work Pay” stimulus benefit. The IRS reports that a scam e-mail is circulating that claims the “Making Work Pay” measure is a refundable credit a taxpayer can have deposited into a bank account, and then requests the taxpayer to register bank account information.  The “Making Work Pay” credit is gradually realized on a worker’s paycheck this year through decreased tax withholding.

Other recently reported phishing, fax and mail schemes claim the recipient is a lottery winner or due cash consignments, but must pay the taxes due on their winnings prior to receiving them.  In other cases, the bogus e-mail promises a tax refund if more confidential information is supplied. 
Attachments to these unscrupulous e-mails may also contain viruses when opened.

The best practice is not to open attachments, click on any links, or divulge any personal account information. Suspicious e-mails can be forwarded to phishing@irs.gov.