Beware e-mails that appear to be from the IRS

Tax time is a dangerous time of year for unsuspecting customers. Criminals posing as Internal Revenue Service agents want to steal your identity. This year could be no exception. According to the Shelbyville Times-Gazette, a new IRS e-mail scam is circulating that can infect your computer with malware and viruses and even place your sensitive financial data in the hands of identification thieves.

IRS not worried about sending e-mails about taxes

The Internal Revenue Service does not ever send out e-mails about tax returns, reports the Times-Gazette. This is what IRS media relations representative Dan Boone explained.

“If you get an e-mail that looks like comes from the IRS and it looks like it has something to do with your personal taxes or business taxes, it’s a scam,” said Boone.

There is a common theme among IRS con e-mails even though there isn’t one. In order to steal your money or your identification, thieves will ask for private information in the e-mail. This will contain social security numbers and banking account numbers. A refund is usually offered under the condition that banking information is given so that funds can be “transferred” with a special refund.

“There is no refund form. Your tax return is your refund form,” said Boone.

Internal Revenue Service scam got you down?

If you receive an e-mail claiming to be from IRS.gov that asks for your private information, do not click on any links in the e-mail or download/open any attachments, advises Boone. Your computer can get viruses, have sensitive data stolen or even copy keystrokes with this. A site that looks like IRS.gov is where you could go due to a connection making it look like the IRS really did send it. Just remember that the IRS does not need private information from you in e-mails. Fraud is anticipated to be reported to the IRS. All e-mails ought to be forwarded to phishing(at)irs.gov. There will be no return receipt from the IRS. For more information, consult Internal Revenue Service form IR-2006-49.

Citations

IRS

irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=155682,00.html

Shelbyville Times-Gazette

t-g.com/story/1704349.html