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5 tips from the IRS for avoiding cyber scams

Posted on February 6, 2012
Irs-scams

Every year, the Internal Revenue Service receives thousands of reports from taxpayers about suspicious emails, phone calls, faxes and notices claiming to be from the IRS.

Often these communications use the IRS name or logo to make them appear authentic. The goal is to trick you into revealing personal and financial information. Don’t fall prey to these phishing scams that collect information like your Social Security number, bank account or credit card numbers to commit identity theft or steal your money.
Here are 5 important tips from the IRS for avoiding cyber scams.

  1. The IRS never asks for detailed personal and financial information like PIN numbers, passwords or similar secret access information for credit card, bank or other financial accounts.
     
  2. The IRS never initiates contact with taxpayers by email to request personal or financial information. If you receive an e-mail from someone claiming to be the IRS or directing you to an IRS site:
     
    • Don’t reply to the message.
    • Don’t open any attachments. Attachments may contain malicious code that will infect your computer. 
    • Don’t click on any links. If you clicked on links in a suspicious e-mail or phishing website and entered confidential information, visit the IRS website and enter the search term 'identity theft' for more information and resources to help.  
  3. The address of the official IRS website is www.irs.gov. Don’t be confused or misled by sites claiming to be the IRS ending in .com, .net, .org or other designations instead of .gov. If you discover a website that claims to be the IRS but you suspect it’s bogus, don’t provide any personal information on the suspicious site and report it to the IRS.
     
  4. If you receive a phone call, fax or letter in the mail from an individual claiming to be from the IRS but you suspect they are not an IRS employee, call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to determine if the IRS has a legitimate need to contact you. Report any bogus correspondence.  You can forward a suspicious email to phishing@irs.gov.
     
  5. Help shut down these schemes and prevent others from being victimized. Details on how to report specific types of scams and what to do if you’ve been victimized are available at www.irs.gov.
     

Here are two more IRS resources to help you avoid becoming a victim of a phishing scam:


 

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