Fraud Tip of the Day - April 5

Beware of Tax-Related Email Phishing Scams

Be wary of any strange-sounding emails from the IRS requesting your personal information such as your Social Security number or banking credentials. If you receive an email from the IRS asking for financial information, think twice before responding. No one asks for information this important via email. This includes your bank AND the IRS. Emails of this kind are what are known as "phishing" scams. Failing to recognize a "phish" attempt in time could make you the victim of identity theft.

Scammers know a great way to get your attention during tax season - sending out phony emails that look like official notices from the IRS. Faking an email is child's play to a professional con artist. In fact, anyone can do it. All you need is to grab an IRS logo, add it to an email message then craft a notification designed to scare or excite you. Promises of refunds or warnings of impending audits are sure to grab anyone's attention.

The IRS warns consumers to be on the lookout for this kind of scam. Visit their website for more information. The following phishing scam warnings and identity theft tips come from the IRS page titled, "Suspicious e-Mails and Identity Theft."

Common IRS Email Schemes

• IR-2008-11 - IRS Warns of New E-Mail and Telephone Scams Using the IRS Name; Advance Payment Scams Starting
• IR-2007-183 - IRS Warns of E-Mail Scam Solicting Donations to California Wildfire Victims
• IR-2007-148 - IRS Warns of New E-mail Scam Offering Cash for Participation in "Member Satisfaction Survey"
• IR-2007-109 - IRS Warns Taxpayers of New E-mail Scams
• IR-2007-75 - IRS Warns of Phony e-Mails Claiming to Come from the IRS
• IR-2006-116 - Electronic Federal Tax Payment System Cited in New E-mail Scam
• IR-2006-104 - IRS Renews E-mail Alert Following New Scams
• IR-2006-49 - IRS Establishes e-Mail Box for Taxpayers to Report Phony e-Mails
• Sample of a suspicious/phishing e-mail
• Is it a phishing Web site?
• How to Protect Yourself from Suspicious E-Mails or Phishing Schemes

More IRS Email Scam Information: