The Latest Scams Circulating the Consumer World. Be warned. Be informed.
April 2006
IRS Refund Scam
Just two more weeks before federal taxes are due. Do you owe taxes this year or are you getting a refund?
In March, millions of taxpayers were sent the phishing e-mail below promising a refund from a prior tax year. Most people recognize a phishing e-mail because they don't do business with the soliciting company, but a forged phishing e-mail from the IRS will bait more victims because almost all adults deal with this government agency. Additionally, many people find the federal income tax filing process complicated and confusing, so the idea that they might have unclaimed tax refunds waiting for them seems plausible. Read on and don't fall for the bait!
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IRS Notification - Please Read This
- After the last annual calculations of your fiscal activity we have determined that you are eligible to receive a tax refund of $163.80. Please submit the tax refund request and allow us 6-9 days in order to process it.
- A refund can be delayed for a variety of reasons. For example submitting invalid records or applying after the deadline.
- To access the form for your tax refund, please click here.
Regards,
Internal Revenue Service
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The above mass phishing e-mail went out in March to millions of Internet users. The phony notice asked victims to click on a link that linked them to a special refund form on the IRS website. Of course, the link included in the messages didn't actually send users to the genuine IRS web site; it redirected victims to fake IRS websites.
The refund form asked for sensitive personal information like credit card number, expiration date, checking account number, and an ATM PIN number. Victims willingly entered the information so that their refund could be posted directly to their debit/credit card or bank accounts. The information was then used by scammers for identity theft and other financial crimes.
Play it Safe
- The IRS never offers refunds through e-mail or sends out unsolicited e-mails to taxpayers
- When the IRS needs to contact a taxpayer, they send notice via U.S. Mail, and every such notice includes a telephone number that the recipient can call for confirmation
- If you need to visit the IRS web site go to www.irs.gov rather than via an e-mail link
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