IRS Tax Phishing Scams Circulating

Posted on January 19th, 2010

As always, phishing scams are ramping up during tax season. One such fake e-mail that circulated last week asks U.S.-based employers to complete an updated version of the governments w-2 form because of important changes within the forms. The form is conveniently attached to the e-mail. But even clicking on the attachment could download malicious software designed to search a computer for bank account numbers, credit card numbers, passwords and PINs.

Although people are more savvy about e-mail scams, some still fall for it. Remember, the IRS does not contact people via e-mail or request bank account, financial or other personal information online.

If you suspect you have received an IRS scam e-mail, do not open it or click on any attachments or links, even if the addresses look legitimate. You should forward any suspicious IRS-related e-mails to phishing@irs.gov.  The agency can trace the e-mail to the Internet server that sent it.