| Welcome to The Mountain. We hope you enjoy your visit. You're currently viewing our forum as a guest. This means you are limited to certain areas of the board and there are some features you can't use. If you join our community, you'll be able to access member-only sections, and use many member-only features such as customizing your profile, sending personal messages, and voting in polls. Registration is simple, fast, and completely free. Join our community! If you're already a member please log in to your account to access all of our features: |
| Phishing Scheme | |
|---|---|
| Tweet Topic Started: Mar 6 2008, 09:18 AM (236 Views) | |
| Almtnman | Mar 6 2008, 09:18 AM Post #1 |
![]()
Administrator
![]()
|
Everyone needs to read this and be aware of it. I have received about 3 to 4 of these emails in the past week and it appears that they come from the IRS. They do not come from there, so you need to be very alert and aware of any emails you get that tells you need to click on a link to get a refund owed you or to update your computer with IRS software. Once you click on the link in the email, then your computer will be automatically infected with a virus from the link site. And FYI, the IRS does not send stuff like this out. Wednesday, March 5, 2008 Dear Customer: A virus email is circulating that supposedly comes from the IRS. It states that all U.S. Citizens are required by law to update their computers with new tax software. This is not true. The link in the email goes to a Web site that starts an automatic download of a virus file. Do *NOT* click the link, or your computer will become infected. There is also another warning about phishing schemes related to tax season. Some of you who overpaid in 2007 will be receiving a refund of some taxes already withheld. In addition, this year most Americans can expect a separate rebate check from the government as part of an economic stimulus package passed last month. Certainly a rebate check and possible refund is welcome news. However, there are thieves already plotting to turn that good news into a nightmare for you. The IRS is warning about phishing schemes that play on tax rebates and refunds to trick people into giving up sensitive information, such as Social Security, bank account or credit card numbers. These scams come by email, as well as via phone call, and the IRS expects that they will continue through tax season and beyond. In a typical phone scam, you would receive a call from someone identifying himself as an IRS agent. They would give you the apparent good news that you are eligible for a rebate, and you simply need to provide your bank account information to initiate a direct deposit of the funds. If you refuse, you are told you cannot receive the rebate. In another scam, the supposed IRS employee says that a check has already been sent but was never cashed, and they will need to verify your back account information. The email scams are similar. One says that you are eligible to receive a refund of a specific amount. There is a link in the email to a fake refund claim form, but that form is actually designed to collect information that can be used to steal your money and identity. Another email scam claims that your tax form is scheduled to be audited, which is sure to get anyone's attention. This message would also direct you to a fake form. Don't be fooled. The IRS does not gather information such as this by telephone, and does not send unsolicited e-mail about tax account matters. Tax rebates will be automatically sent to qualified individuals who file a 2007 tax return, and filing a tax return is also the only way to apply for a tax refund. In addition, it is on your tax return where you would provide the required information to set up a direct deposit of your refund should you choose to do so. The IRS does not require taxpayers to use direct deposit. Please always be suspicious of unsolicited email messages from any source, since they may contain links to viruses or forms designed to gain access to your personal information. As always, we appreciate your business, and thank you for being a valued customer. |
![]() |
|
| bsb006 | Mar 6 2008, 03:17 PM Post #2 |
|
Ruler of the Mountain
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
IRS is warning people about this....
IRS page |
![]() |
|
| Ali | Mar 6 2008, 09:41 PM Post #3 |
|
Ruler of the Mountain
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Thank you for the heads up on this. I've forwarded it along to friends. |
![]() |
|
| 1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous) | |
| « Previous Topic · General Discussion · Next Topic » |










![]](http://z6.ifrm.com/static/1/pip_r.png)