Updated June 2018.

 

I originally posted this warning over 8 years ago – and the problem is:  it’s still going on!

 

I’ve been asked to help get the word out about IRS scams.  Right now appears to be a popular time for scammers to send phishing emails masquerading as the IRS.  One of the most popular scams involves telling you that there’s a problem with your refund and asking you for bank account information.  The emails look pretty convincing with the IRS logo and official sounding language.  Don’t be fooled!  The IRS will never ask you for your social security number or bank information in an email.  Never.

 

If you receive one of these emails, please forward it to phishing@irs.gov.  That way, the IRS security staff can examine it and take action.  Be sure to delete the email and whatever you do, do not click on any links or open any attachments.  Does it really help to forward the email?  I don’t know.   But the IRS won’t know about a scam if no one tells them so I recommend forwarding it.

 

In addition to the refund scam, another popular scam involves winning a lottery or contest where the email claims that the Department of the Treasury needs you to write a check for your tax withholding.   Not true.  “Withholding” means that the contest agency will hold back some of the money that you would have received for your prize to pay the government.  You should not have to write a check to receive your prize.  Ever.

 

And the phone call that says the IRS will file a lawsuit against you?  Yep, that’s another scam.  Here’s my video about that:  IRS scam video

 

If you’d like to read more about IRS scams, check out this link.  It tells about scams, how they work, and how to recognize them.  IRS Scams

 

Most importantly, talk to people!  You’re reading this on the internet, you’ve probably heard all about these scams.  But maybe you know someone who isn’t as savvy as you are.  The whole reason scams are effective is that they catch people who are vulnerable.  Senior citizens and immigrants are often targets, but they’re not the only ones.  There are scams targeting college students, scams targeting veterans, scams targeting small business owners, etc.   You name a group, there’s probably a scam targeting them.  So please, be on guard for these scammers, and please let your friends and neighbors know about them too.  Thank you.