Tax season has arrived, and many consumers are preparing to file their returns with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). In addition to preparing returns carefully, taxpayers should be aware of scams using the IRS name and logo to gain access to personal or financial information that can be used to commit identity theft and/or steal assets. These scams frequently utilize phishing, a tactic where an email or website entices consumers to provide detailed personal or financial information, such as the consumer’s name, Social Security number, or date of birth. Identity theft occurs when scammers use this information to empty bank accounts, use credit cards, or obtain credit in the consumer’s name.
In the past, scammers have used form numbers that resemble legitimate IRS forms, text from the IRS website, the IRS logo, and/or the names of actual IRS employees and organizations. Several scams claimed that the recipient was either eligible for a refund or was under investigation. In one version of the scam, emails contained attachments or links that downloaded a virus onto the recipient’s computer. The virus allowed scammers to extract personal or financial information from the computer that allowed scammers to access personal accounts. Taxpayers who receive suspicious emails can forward them to the IRS at phishing@irs.gov. The IRS is able to use the information in the email to trace the company hosting the email account and alert authorities to shut down the scam.
For suspicious letters or notices received in the mail, contact the IRS to determine if the letter is legitimate. If you receive a suspicious phone call, request the caller’s phone number and employee badge number. Visit www.irs.gov/contact to locate the phone number of your local IRS office or call 800–829–1040 to find out if the caller is a legitimate IRS employee. If the letter, phone call, or email is not legitimate, contact the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration at 800–366–4484 or at www.treasury.gov/tigta
Things to Remember
The only genuine IRS website is www.irs.gov
The IRS does not contact consumers by email to request detailed personal financial information.
The IRS will never ask for your Personal Identification Number (PIN) or passwords for credit cards or other financial accounts A tax refund can only be obtained through filing your tax return.
