Beware the new IRS e-mail phishing scam, taxpayers

Each tax season, unethical individuals come out of the cyber-woodwork to prey on unsuspecting taxpayers. Unfortunately, 2011 tax time is no different. According to the Shelbyville Times-Gazette, a new Internal Revenue Service e-mail con is circulating that can infect your computer with malware and viruses and even place your sensitive financial data in the hands of identification thieves.

The IRS doesn’t send private tax e-mails

The IRS doesn't ever send out e-mails about tax returns, reports the Times-Gazette. This is what IRS media relations representative Dan Boone explained.

"If you get an e-mail that looks like comes from the IRS and it looks like it has something to do with your personal taxes or business taxes, it’s a scam," said Boone.

While there isn’t one specific IRS scam e-mail in circulation, there is a common theme. In order to steal your money or your identification, thieves will ask for personal information in the e-mail. This will consist of social security numbers and banking account numbers. A refund is usually offered under the condition that banking information is given so that funds could be "transferred" with a special refund.

"There is no refund form. Your tax return is your refund form," said Boone.

How to handle an Internal Revenue Service phishing scam

If you receive an e-mail claiming to be from IRS.gov that asks for your private information, don’t click on any links in the e-mail or download/open any attachments, advises Boone. Your computer can get viruses, have sensitive data stolen or even copy keystrokes with this. A site that looks like IRS.gov is where you could go due to a connection making it look like the IRS really did send it. Just keep in mind that the IRS does not need personal information from you in e-mails.

Any fraud should be reported. The Internal Revenue Service encourages it. Send an e-mail to phishing(at)irs.gov. This is where you will forward these e-mails to. Please note that a return receipt from the IRS won’t be issued. If you want more information, you can get it pretty very easily. Internal Revenue Service form IR-2006-49 is where to look.

Information from

IRS

irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=155682,00.html

Shelbyville Times-Gazette

t-g.com/story/1704349.html

Beware e-mails that appear to be from the IRS

youtube.com/watch?v=Kw7f7pO3CAM