It’s like déjà vu all over again, to quote the inimitable Yogi Berra. It seems like every other week we’re earing about another financial scam purportedly involving the IRS. Phony emails designed to gather your personal financial information, look-alike websites―there is apparently no end to the creativity of these dedicated thieves.
Many of the latest scams involve phony economic stimulus payments or other tax refunds. According to the IRS, in May and June alone, taxpayers reported almost 700 separate phishing incidents. As a result, it bears repeating: The IRS never uses email to initiate a communication with you and never requests detailed personal information from you via email or over the internet.
If you receive any communication that appears to be from the IRS―whether electronic or regular mail―and it asks for information you’re uncomfortable providing, don’t respond without checking it out first. We can help you to determine its legitimacy, or you can report it directly to the IRS.
For the latest information from the IRS on identifying and reporting email scams, phishing schemes, and bogus IRS web sites, click here.
