When You Should Ignore the IRS
Essex & Associates www.essexinc.biz Feb. 13, 2011
Greetings!
Uncle Sam isn't the only one looking to collect from taxpayers this year: A rapidly growing number of Internet scammers are also using the guise of the IRS to siphon money out of consumers' pockets.
A tax refund, albeit bogus, serves as juicy bait to potential victims in a phishing scheme,
80% of taxpayers receive a refund and there's something universal about wanting a refund.
The Internet thieves know that people are more likely to fall for it if they think they'll get money.
Last year, identity thieves tried a new tax trick by emailing a bogus IRS notice to taxpayers, warning them that they did not submit an updated W-2 form.
The email contained a link to a phishing website where taxpayers were instructed to enter their W-2 information, which includes such sensitive items as Social Security number, address, and wages.
With an ever-increasing number of people using smartphones, identity thieves are also targeting mobile devices.
Most people feel the IRS knows everything about them anyway, including their cellphone number and that taxpayers are likely to click on a link in a text message because they may have a false sense of security that only a legitimate contact would have their cellphone number.
Here are some tips on avoiding tax scams:
The IRS does not ask for personal identifying or financial information via unsolicited emails.
Taxpayers do not have to complete a special form to obtain a refund.
Do not open any attachments purporting to come from an IRS email. They could contain malicious code.
Do not click on any website links in emails that claim to come from the IRS.
Wishing you many happy returns,
Wayne
http://www.christianspeaker.net/speaker.php?mid=512
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4CUea5HEio
Wayne T. Essex Ph.D.
Essex & Associates
Tax, Accounting, Payroll
7501 Paragon Road
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