| If you have an email account, and who doesn't, you | | | | Alas, the scammers have figured out a way to use it |
| are use to receiving scam emails. Well, here is one | | | | to their benefit. |
| using the IRS name to watch out for over the next | | | | The scam works like this. You get an email from the |
| few months. | | | | "Antifraud" division of the IRS. The email states that |
| Latest Email Scam Using IRS Name | | | | someone has tried to you a tax number assigned to |
| No matter how hot it is outside, nothing sends a chill | | | | you and deposited cash in the account. The IRS has |
| down a person's back like the prospect of receiving a | | | | then frozen the money, but you can get it back by |
| notice from the IRS. In truth, most of the notices these | | | | clicking on the provided link. The page that pops up |
| days are fairly bland, either an indication you owe a bit | | | | then asks you to verify your identity by providing a lot |
| more in tax or are due a refund that you otherwise | | | | of sensitive personal information the scammer can use |
| were unaware of. Regardless, most people will open | | | | to steal your identity. Yes, we are talking identity theft |
| such notices because nobody wants to blow off the | | | | here. |
| IRS. That can only lead to trouble down the line. | | | | If you know anything about the IRS, the scam is a bit |
| Email scam artist focus their efforts on trying to get | | | | ambitious. First, there is no "Antifraud" division at the |
| gullible people to respond to their various nefarious | | | | IRS. Second, the IRS never sends email to taxpayers, |
| efforts. Obviously, they have realized that most people | | | | not even during an audit. NEVER! Third, why would |
| are sensitive to communications from the IRS. In email | | | | someone steal a tax identification number and then |
| terms, this means people will more likely than not open | | | | deposit money to the IRS using it? Criminals are stupid, |
| the emails to at least read them. In a number of | | | | but come on! |
| instances, unwise individuals will actually respond to the | | | | Here is the simple rule you should keep in mind to |
| alleged IRS communication. Given this scenario, it is | | | | avoid this and all other scam emails using the IRS |
| surprising that there aren't more scam emails coming | | | | name. They are ALL frauds. The IRS never sends |
| out using the IRS name. | | | | email to taxpayers. Let me repeat that. The IRS never |
| The latest scam going around involves the electronic | | | | sends email to taxpayers. Anything you receive in your |
| tax payment system. The system was setup by the | | | | inbox that purports to be from the IRS is not legitimate. |
| IRS to allow people to pay taxes online, which is | | | | Learn it, live it, love it! |
| convenient. Frankly, it has been a smashing success. | | | | |