The latest IRS e-mail scams

Two e-mail scams purportedly from the IRS recently landed in my “in” box from baffled friends. Like all e-mail attributed to the IRS, these were phonies.

One had an official-looking e-mail address with irs.gov on the end. The subject line said, “IRS USA for Businesses: Important messages to all business Accountants and Treasury Managers!” The main message told recipients to download information on recent changes to business and corporate tax laws, and offered an address to click on for more information, including “www1.irs.gov” in the URL.

Point 1:  There is only one official IRS Web site: www.irs.gov.

The other e-mail was scarier because it looked so real. It, too, was sent from an e-mail address with irs.gov on the end, and informed the recipient that she was due a tax refund of $93.60. To add to its verisimilitude, a copyright line for the IRS was posted at the bottom.

Clicking on the provided link led to a Web page with official-looking IRS letterhead, and that very familiar san serif typeface that says “I’m not kidding.” And what did the “IRS” want from my friend? Her Social Security number and a current credit card number—for who knows what kind of mischief. The only thing that gave away the scam was the URL that popped up on that second page: www.drunkenmedia.com.

Point 2: The IRS never communicates with taxpayers via e-mail. Even the electronic confirmation you get after filing electronically comes through the tax-prep software provider, not the IRS.

I checked later and both offending Web pages had been taken down. Someone had obviously reported them, a wise move.

Point 3: Never respond to e-mails that purport to be from the IRS.

Otherwise, you could become the victim of identity theft. Report any e-mails you receive from the IRS to phishing@irs.gov. Check the IRS Web site for more examples of common e-mail schemes.

--Tobie Stanger

Comments

[salas]

It's better to scroll over the link and let the mail program (Outlook, Gmail, etc) tell you where the link is going rather than clicking on the link and finding out for yourself. Instead of a phishing site, it could be a site that has 1000 pop-under ads or a site that tries to infect your computer with spyware. It's always better to know before you go.

[gail]

this is who the email was from
taxrefund@2x3c.6xdb74d0.irs.gov

contents of the email

Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
United States Department of the Treasury

Dear Taxpayer,

After the last annual calculations of your fiscal
activity we have determined that you are eligible
to receive a tax refund of $184.80.

Please submit the tax refund request and allow us
6-9 days in order to process it.

A refund can be delayed for a variety of reasons.
For example submitting invalid records or applying
after the deadline.

To access the form for your tax refund, use the following personalized link:

http://0x7C.0xDB11D1/www.irs.gov/

Regards,
Internal Revenue Service

Document Reference: (0x7C.0xDB11D1).

the link asks for all your information even bank pin number

[Tobie Stanger (Consumer Reports)]

Gail,

Thanks for sharing this information.

[Luis D.]

To tax is to impose a financial charge or other levy upon an individual or legal entity by a state or the functional equivalent of a state. Taxes are used as expenditures on war, the enforcement of law and public order, protection of property, economic infrastructure (roads, legal tender, enforcement of contracts, etc.), public works, social engineering, and the operation of government itself. Many people are wondering if they’re going to get a stimulus check. Knowing that is the reason why there are some stimuli scams starting to pop up. Ads promising extra funds from the economic stimulus package, but requiring a fee to get the know-how are the usual stimulus scams. These scams can run people dry if they get their hooks in deep enough. If you get an e-mail from the IRS (supposedly) that asks for any personal info so you can get stimulus money, delete them. You want to deal with tax professionals, look to regular sources, and be wary not to fall for any stimulus scams