Phishing Scams Claiming Tax Refunds Target US Taxpayers

More than 1,500 phishing scams running on the Internet are designed to snag users' tax rebates and do much more, as reported by kmph on April 11, 2008.

Explaining the working procedure of the phishing scam, IRS said that the user would receive an e-mail apparently from IRS claiming that the user is entitled to a refund. The e-mail might even offer an amount but then, asks for the recipient's personal information such as bank account and Social Security numbers. These are the signs that the user is being targeted.

Thus, the IRS is asking consumers to be vigilant of scammers who attempt to steal users' identifying details by luring them with IRS' offers. The agency repeated that if anyone receives a telephone call or an unsolicited e-mail from someone pretending to represent the IRS, it is most likely a scam. According to Director of Business Services, Cindy Dudley, anyone receives an e-mail committing something from IRS, should not mistake it to be a communication from a genuine IRS agent, for it is a scam, as reported by kmph on April 11, 2008.

Among other tips, the IRS advises users neither click on any link nor provide answers to any question. In fact, they should forward the message or inform about the phone calls to phishing@irs.gov.

The agency also asks users to be careful of those who talk about the secret way of escaping from taxes, for there are no such ways. In fact, users should check IRS.gov for the tax scam list named, "Dirty Dozen," which includes tax refund scams, e-mail phishing, cases of fraud by tax preparers and various frivolous arguments, as reported by tmcnet on April 13, 2008.

In the meantime, trouble at Fresno continues with more scams hitting the region.

One scam pretends to inform the recipient that the IRS would subject him to a financial audit. The fraud e-mail then focuses on tax filers while promising the recipient that his refund would be deposited directly to his bank account, as reported by kmph.

In the meantime, IRS is advising taxpayers to make the maximum possible payment to avoid high interests and late-payment penalties.

Related article: Phishing With A Redirector Code

» SPAMfighter News - 4/17/2008