ID Theft Scammers Mimicking IRS and Other Agencies
August 5, 2009 – 1:49 pm
As if keeping an eye out for the taxman wasn’t bad enough, now scammers are mimicking the IRS and other government agencies to trick you into giving away your personal information. The IRS recently released new reminders to consumers regarding a variety of scams currently being perpetuated — most using the IRS’s name, logo and website. We’ll go over them here to make sure you’re not caught in the cross hairs.
The most important thing to remember is that the IRS will never discuss account or personal information with you over email. If you receive requests that seemingly come from the IRS about tax information through email then it’s a phishing attempt. There are four major scams running right now so here is what to look out for.
Making Work Pay for a Refund
This is a phishing email that talks about the Making Work Pay provision of the 2009 economic recovery law and references a refundable credit that is supposedly available to workers. All you have to do is supply your bank information to get the refund — the links to which are handily provided. The Making Work Pay tax credit does exists, but most people received it in their paychecks as a result of lower tax withholdings.
Large Cash Awards
This is another phishing scheme that, by email claiming to be from the U.S. Dept. of Treasury, announces you’re the recipient of inherited funds, lottery winnings or a cash consignment. All you have to do is give them personal information like phone number, address, etc. and send them a reply email. Usually this leads to further emails or telephone calls to gain further information from you. It normally culminates in them sending a fake check and asking you to pay them 10% in fees after you put it in. The check then bounces after a few days leaving you minus the 10% and a bounce fee.
Form W-8BEN
Scammers modify a real IRS form (form W-8BEN – Certificate of Foreign Status of Beneficial Owner for United States Tax Withholding) so that it requests in depth personal and financial information. They will either email or fax the form which states that unless quickly filled out the recipient will face additional penalties and taxes. A W-8BEN form will never ask for a passport number, bank account or PIN numbers.
Refund Scam
In this email supposedly from the IRS, they inform you that you are eligible to receive a tax refund. You are instructed to click on a link that takes you to an official looking form that asks for your personal and financial information. This email sometimes comes with an official looking name and position with matching signature. The IRS says this is the most common scam used.
Keep on the lookout for scams like this and protect yourself.
Tags: cash, deptartment of treasury, form, irs, irs form, phishing, Phishing Scams, refund, scammers, Scams, warnings
