Be on the lookout for email schemes claiming to be from the IRS
After seeing an approximate 400 percent surge in phishing and malware incidents so far this tax season, the Internal Revenue Service is reminding people to be on the lookout for email schemes. Variations of these scams can be seen via text messages, and the communications are being reported in every section of the country. We have even seen some of our clients receive emails from gmail addresses demanding immediate payment followed up with phone calls demanding payment within two hours or immediate arrest. These schemes are well drawn up, intimidating, and use fear to steal money from you. If you receive an email or call from someone claiming to be from the IRS – call me or Amy immediately Toll Free at 844-208-7408 or Contact Us
Fraudsters are more frequently asking for personal tax information, which they can use to help file false tax returns. The emails are designed to trick you into thinking these are official communications from the IRS or others in the tax industry, including tax software companies. The phishing schemes can ask you about a wide range of topics. Emails can seek information related to refunds, filing status, confirming personal information, ordering transcripts and verifying PIN information.
If you click on the links in these emails, you will be taken to sites designed to imitate an official-looking website, such as IRS.gov. The sites ask for Social Security numbers and other personal information. The sites also may carry malware, which can infect your computer and allow criminals to access your files or track your keystrokes to gain information. What should you look for? You may receive an official-looking email from what appears to be an official source, such as the IRS or someone in the tax industry. Often times these emails are coming from a ***@gmail.com address – not a government issued email address. We have all seen how well the IRS has done in the media in recent years for targeting non Profits and conservative political groups, and how well the former First Lady Hillary Clinton has done with the use of a private email server. If you receive one of these emails take a step back and think if someone from the IRS would contact you from a private email address?
The underlying messages frequently ask you to update important information by clicking on a Web link. The links may be masked to appear to go to official pages, but they can go to a scam page designed to look like the official page. You should not click on these links, but instead send the email to phishing@irs.gov. Then Contact US. We handle the time and trouble that is Dealing with the IRS and we are here to advocate for your rights before the Automated Collections System and the Governments in house collections agency – The Internal Revenue Service.
Recent email examples the IRS has seen include subject lines and underlying text referencing:
• Numerous variations about people’s tax refund.
• Update your filing details, which can include references to Form W-2.
• Confirm your personal information.
• Get my IP Pin.
• Get my E-file Pin.
• Order a transcript.
• Complete your tax return information.
It’s important to keep in mind the IRS generally does not initiate contact by email to request your personal or financial information. This includes any type of electronic communication, such as text messages and social media channels.
If you feel like you are being pressured by a scammer either calling you or emailing you because you may owe the IRS money in back taxes – Contact Us today or Call us Toll Free (844)208-7408. We can guide you as painlessly and effortlessly as possible through the maze that is IRS collections while handling all the contact and communication with the IRS – We will handle all the legitimate phone calls, respond to notices and all the heavy lifting while your job is to be available and to gather the necessary documents we need along the way. We specialize in Reducing and Resolving Back Tax issues, and we Handle the Time and the Trouble that is Dealing with the IRS. Contact Us Today – you can even ask for Amy – she is kinda awesome.
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