The IRS did not send you that e-mail about an audit
Posted
Feb 01 2008, 09:27 PM
by
Karen Datko
The scammers are out in full force this tax season, targeting taxpayers, accountants and anyone else who can answer a phone or open an e-mail. Kay Bell at Don't Mess With Taxes gives readers a rundown on some of the latest tactics being used to steal your identity.
One is an e-mail purporting to be from the IRS, asking you to click on a link to a refund claim form, where you're instructed to provide personal financial information. A similar e-mail tells you that you're going to be audited. Unlike many phishing attempts, this one actually addresses you by your name, Kay says.
Yet another targets businesses and accountants, instructing them to download new tax law information. Kay writes, "The IRS believes that such a move actually downloads malware onto the recipient's computer, releasing malicious code that can take over the computer hard drive and allow the crooks remote access to the computer."
Two scams are being run over the phone. Our partner blog ConsumerAffairs.com has already reported here about the rebate scam: A caller claiming to be from the IRS says you can get an early tax rebate if you provide your checking account number.
In the other, an alleged IRS representative tells you that you haven't cashed a check from the government and wants to confirm your bank account number. "Let's get real, people! The IRS is never -- never -- going to track you down to give you money," Kay writes. "It's always the other way around!"
