Irs gov email scam

The IRS email scam!

The IRS (Internal Revenue Service) has been warning taxpayers about a surge in email scams that impersonate the agency. These scams aim to trick you into revealing sensitive information, such as your Social Security number, bank account numbers, or passwords. Here's what you need to know:

How the scam works:

  1. You receive an email that appears to be from the IRS, with a subject line that claims you owe taxes or have a refund.
  2. The email may include a sense of urgency, stating that you need to take immediate action to avoid penalties or fines.
  3. The email may ask you to click on a link or download an attachment to resolve the issue.
  4. If you respond or click on the link, you may be asked to provide personal and financial information.

Red flags:

  1. The email is not addressed to you by name, even if you're a taxpayer with a specific account.
  2. The email contains poor grammar, spelling, or formatting.
  3. The email asks you to click on a link or download an attachment from an unknown sender.
  4. The email threatens immediate action if you don't respond or take action.

What to do:

  1. Don't respond: Do not reply to the email or click on any links or attachments.
  2. Don't provide personal information: Never give out your personal or financial information to an unsolicited email or caller.
  3. Report the scam: Forward the email to [email protected] and report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at reportphishing.ftc.gov.
  4. Verify IRS communications: If you're unsure about the authenticity of an IRS communication, contact the IRS directly at 1-800-829-1040.

Additional tips:

  1. The IRS will never initiate contact with you via email or text message.
  2. The IRS will never ask you to pay a tax bill or provide personal information over the phone or email.
  3. The IRS will never threaten to arrest or deport you if you don't pay a tax bill.

Stay vigilant and report any suspicious emails to the IRS and FTC. Remember, it's always better to err on the side of caution when it comes to your personal and financial information.