IRS: Beware of ID scams
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Published: August 10, 2009
BURLINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service is reminding consumers to avoid identity theft scams that use the IRS name, logo or Web site in an attempt to convince taxpayers that the scam is a genuine communication from the IRS.
Scammers may use other federal agency names, such as the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
Scammers often posing as a government, financial or business institution or official, attempt to trick a victim into revealing personal and financial information, such as credit card numbers and passwords, bank account numbers and passwords and Social Security numbers.
Generally, identity thieves use someone's personal data to steal his or her financial accounts, run up charges on the victim's existing credit cards, apply for new loans, credit cards, services or benefits in the victim's name and even file fraudulent tax returns.
The scams may take place through e-mail, fax or phone. When they take place via e-mail, they are called "phishing" scams.
The IRS does not initiate taxpayer contact via unsolicited e-mail or ask for personal identifying or financial information via e-mail. If you receive a suspicious e-mail claiming to come from the IRS, take the following steps:
Contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to determine whether the IRS is trying to contact you.
Forward the suspicious e-mail or url address to the IRS mailbox phishing@irs.gov, then delete the e-mail from your inbox.
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