It happened again this week. A nervous client, who owns an entertainment partnership, received an E-mail from the IRS (with the IRS logo and such) claiming that his tax payment was rejected. My gut reaction was “scam,” he didn’t make any tax payments for either his partnership, or individual tax return.
The IRS is warning clients again. https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=98129,00.html
The IRS does not send unsolicited e-mail to taxpayers either about their tax accounts or requesting sensitive personal and financial information.
Nevertheless, taxpayers do receive e-mails claiming to come from the IRS, sometimes containing a real or made-up employee name, address and similar information to make an e-mail seem credible.
These e-mails usually are scams whose purpose is to obtain personal and financial information — such as name, Social Security number, bank account and credit card or even PIN numbers — from taxpayers which can be used by the scammers to commit identity theft. Identity thieves use the data to empty the victim’s financial accounts, run up charges on the victim’s existing credit cards, apply for new loans, credit cards, services or benefits in the victim’s name, file fraudulent tax returns and more.
Typically, IRS-impersonation scam e-mails state that the IRS needs certain personal and financial information to process a tax return, tax payment or refund. They may claim the e-mail recipient is being audited. They may mention specific monetary amounts or genuine programs, such as the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS), to add credible detail to the scam. The e-mails often contain links or attachments to what appears to be the IRS web site or an IRS form. However genuine in appearance, these phonies are designed to elicit the information the scammers are looking for.
Alternatively, a link in a scam e-mail may download malicious software onto the taxpayer’s computer when clicked. The software is often designed to search out and send back to the scammer personal and financial information contained on the taxpayer’s computer or obtained through keystrokes that the scammer can use to commit identity theft.
Unsolicited e-mails claiming to be from the IRS or an IRS-related component, such as EFTPS, should be reported to phishing@irs.gov.
Anytime you are asked for sensitive information in an email, e.g., PayPal, IRS, or your bank, assume first that it is a scam. You can call these organizations, or e-mail them directly to inquire about the issue. Never, never e-mail them using a link they have provided you.
Taxes seems to be the topic that prompts people to lose objectivity. Taxes cause anxiety because most people don’t understand the tax law and procedures. Don’t let the pseudo-IRS inflict such emotions. Call your tax professional before making any decisions.
______________________________________________________________________________
IRS CIRCULAR 230 NOTICE: To ensure compliance with requirements imposed by the U.S. Department of the Treasury and Internal Revenue Service, we inform you that any tax advice contained in this e-mail (including any attachments) is not intended or written to be used, and may not be used, for the purpose of (a) avoiding penalties under the Internal Revenue Code or state tax authority, or (b) promoting, marketing, or recommending to another party any transaction or matter addressed herein.