Latest Scam Tricks

Today, the Internal Revenue Service and its Security Summit partners warned taxpayers, accountants, and tax professionals about a new IRS impersonation email scam spreading across the nation.

This week the IRS became aware of this new scam as taxpayers began notifying phishing@irs.govabout unsolicited emails from IRS imposters. The email subject line may vary, but recent examples use the phrase “Automatic Income Tax Reminder” or “Electronic Tax Return Reminder.”

The emails have links that show an IRS.gov-like website with details purported to be about the taxpayer’s refund, electronic return or tax account. These scam emails contain a “temporary password” or “one-time password” to “access” the files to submit the refund. However, when taxpayers try to access these, they turn out to be a malicious file.

Tax professionals and their clients should be aware that the IRS:
  1. Does not send unsolicited emails
  2. Does not email taxpayers about the status of their returns
  3. Does not initiate contact via text messages or social media channels
  4. Does not call to demand immediate payment using prepaid debit cards, gift cards, or wire transfers.
The IRS will usually send a bill to a taxpayer who owes taxes.
To report a phishing or online scam, use this link.
The complete news release from the IRS is available here.

-NSA