US Citizens Warned of Hoax IRS E-mails

Fraudulent e-mails saying they are from IRS (Internal Revenue Service) are hitting the US citizens' inboxes. A particular instance of the bogus e-mails recently appeared in a family's mailbox in Roy (Utah, USA).

The e-mail that seems to use the IRS letterhead tells the recipient that he is entitled to get a tax rebate of $990.55, but for that, he must click on a link. It further warns tax-preparer who send the form as an e-mail attachment to the National Association of Tax Professionals about the scam. The Association revealed that the e-mail was fake. Security professionals also said that anyone clicking on the attachment could be subject to ID theft.

In addition, cyber criminals are dispatching bogus e-mails in Houston (Texas, US) that appear as if they are from the IRS. Posing as the tax collector, the criminals are attempting to steal users' financial details such as payment card numbers.

Jeff Lanza, Retired Agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, confirms that fraudulent e-mails using the logo of IRS are attempting to steal the personal information of innocent people and promise them federal stimulus funds, as reported by kctv5 on March 26, 2009.

The security professionals said that these kinds of fraudulent phishing e-mails were making the rounds across the country. Providing details why such scams were increasing in number, Lanza said that due to the current situation of the economy, people were desperately searching for job and sources of earning. Scammers are taking advantage of the situation by sending fraudulent e-mails.

According to the security specialists, it is the tax time and scammers in full force are attempting to get at people's tax and stimulus money. They further stated that the hurdle to prevent the scams is that crooks are continuously adapting and discovering innovative methods to dupe victims.

However, the IRS reminded people that it would not send e-mail to consumers talking of a refund and asking to click on a link. The agency also suggested that if anyone receives an e-mail of this kind, he/she must send it to IRS so that if it is fraudulent the agency can disable the website.

Related article: US Passes Baton to Asia in Spam Relay

» SPAMfighter News - 3/31/2009