It seems that Internet predators are constantly coming up with new ways to rip off the public. With tax filing season well underway, it’s no surprise that the Internal Revenue Service has issued a consumer alert about a new Internet Phishing scam. Phishing scams are attempts to trick email recipients into disclosing their personal and financial data. In this particular scam, consumers receive an email informing them of a tax refund. The email, which claims to be from the IRS, directs the consumer to a link that requests personal information, such as Social Security number, birth date and credit card information.
The bogus email, which claims to come from “tax-refunds@irs.gov” tells recipients that they are eligible to receive a tax refund for a given amount. It then says, to access a tax refund form, recipients must use a link contained in the email. The link then asks for personal and financial information.
The information fraudulently obtained is then used to steal the taxpayer’s identity and financial assets. Generally, identity thieves use people’s personal data to steal their financial accounts, run up charges on victim’s existing credit cards, apply for new loans, credit cards, services or benefits in victim’s name, and even file fraudulent tax returns. Anyone who has ever been a victim of identity theft knows that straightening out the mess and re-establishing credit can take hundreds of hours of research, correspondence and phone calls.
The IRS does not ask for personal identifying or financial information via unsolicited email. Additionally, taxpayers do not have to complete a special form to obtain a refund. If you receive such an email it is almost definitely a scam. You should always be wary of any unsolicited email you receive requesting personal information. Financial institutions, government agencies, retailers and utility companies never ask for your personal information in this way.
If you receive an unsolicited email purporting to be from the IRS: Do not open any attachments to the email, in case they contain malicious code (computer viruses) that will infect your computer; and contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to determine whether the IRS is trying to contact you about a tax refund.
Don’t fall victim to tax scams. If you think you’re being scammed, report suspected tax fraud activity by sending completed Form 3949-A, Information Referral, to Internal Revenue Service, Fresno, CA 93888. Download the form at www.irs.gov/formspubs/index.html or call 1-800-829-3676 to order by mail. Information is power. Guard yours carefully. For info on protecting yourself from fraud and identity theft, contact your 4th Precinct SAFE team at 612-673-2803.