Important Information

Internet/E-Mail Fraud Alert

Several e-mail and telephone scams are using the IRS name and one is aimed specifically at tax-exempt organizations that distribute funds to other organizations or individuals.

In issuing a warning on its Web site Wednesday, the IRS said the scams are taking several different forms. One scam claims to be an advance payment or rebate check from the IRS even though an economic stimulus package that would authorize such payments has yet to be enacted. The IRS says there has been at least one reported incident of a telephone call version of this scheme where the victim is asked to reveal his or her bank account information in order to receive a rebate.

Scammers are also using e-mails to target victims. In one such scam, the recipient is instructed to click on a link to access a refund claim form. The form asks the recipient to enter personal information that can then be used by the perpetrator.

Another e-mail scheme which specifically targets tax-exempt organizations that distribute funds to other organizations or individuals contains the name and supposed signature of the director of the IRS's exempt organizations business division.

Other scams that are currently being used include an audit e-mail and a changes-to-tax law e-mail. While the former contains a salutation addressed to the recipient stating they are being audited and asks the recipient to enter personal information, the latter addresses businesses, accountants and "Treasury" managers, instructing them to download information on tax law changes by clicking on a series of links.

In light of these attacks, the IRS reiterated that it does not send unsolicited e-mails about tax account matters to individual, business, tax-exempt or other taxpayers. The IRS says it expects the scams to continue through the tax-filing season and is advising consumers to refrain from clicking on links in e-mails that claim to be from them.

Those who have received a questionable e-mail claiming to come from the IRS are encouraged to forward it to: phishing@irs.gov.