Around tax time all kinds of fraud are reported, mostly people posing as the IRS on the phone and phishing for personal information to “confirm the information disclosed on your tax filing.” The new twist this season is using the Stimulus refund to gain access to your personal information.
Because this is not the usual refund most people expect, they are more susceptible to fraud surrounding it. Scammers will make calls to people, posing as the IRS and asking them to confirm their information so they can receive their Stimulus checks. Usually they are asked for their bank account information. When people hesitate, they are told that the only way they will receive their check is to disclose their account number. People might also be asked to disclose their social security numbers, addresses, driver’s license numbers, loan information, health insurance information, and more. These scammers will then take this information and open up credit cards, clean out bank accounts, or even file fraudulent tax returns in your name.
The same precautions that will save you from other tax scams will save you here as well. The IRS never sends unsolicited e-mails or phone calls, so treat any with caution. Call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to confirm any correspondence you receive. E-mails from the IRS might seem unusual, but now that more and more people are filing electronically, and having their refunds directly deposited into their bank accounts, e-mails asking for confirmation of your routing number and bank account are more believable.
These emails can be more dangerous than you think. They often look very official, with IRS seals and fine print on the bottom of the message, all in an attempt to lend credibility. These messages often have a link that you click to find out more information about “special rebates.” Clicking on these links at all, even out of idle curiosity, will download malicious software that allows hackers access to your computer and any personal info you have on it. So if it seems too good to be true, don’t click on the links “just to see.”
The cousin of the refund email scam is the audit email scam. This method uses scare tactics instead of the promise of money. The victim receives an email saying that they are being audited, and they must follow a link to a “secure” site to provide information. This of course instantly downloads the same software as before, and as a bonus any information you input into their website is now theirs to do with as they please.
Taxpayers have received more than 33,000 of these scam e-mails, reflecting more than 1,500 schemes. If you receive one of these emails, forward it to phishing@irs.gov to report it.
