Mark P Warner asked:
You have to give identity thieves some credit these days. They no longer just go over the line when it comes to some of their email scams. Now, they are going as far as possible by absconding with the identity of the IRS in an effort to cause you to kick out your private information so they can steal your identity. The scam works more often than others for one reason. People fear the IRS and respond just to be safe.
You are reading email one morning and a message catches your eye. It’s a notice from the IRS. The content either notifies you that a refund is do to you or you must answer some questions to clear up questions the IRS has. In either situation, you are asked to click a link and fill out your information. That form you are sent to looks official. It also asks for your legal name, address, phone number and social security number. In short, the Holy Grail for any identity thief. As soon as you click the submit button, you’ve just guaranteed yourself a heap of aggravation.
Why did you do this? It’s simple. Everyone fears the IRS. You are going to respond if the IRS contacts you. This is what the scam artists are counting on. The truth, however, is that you should set your fear aside. Why? Well, let’s start off with the most basic of things – the IRS does not contact people by email. The agency always sends out a written letter. If you are really unlucky, they show up in person in the form of an agent. At no point, however, will they contact you out of the blue with an email. Given this simple fact, it should be readily apparent that you have nothing to worry about when such emails come in and certainly should not respond to them.
There was a famous man that said we have nothing to fear but fear itself. In the case of scam IRS emails, this is very much the case.
Aaron
You have to give identity thieves some credit these days. They no longer just go over the line when it comes to some of their email scams. Now, they are going as far as possible by absconding with the identity of the IRS in an effort to cause you to kick out your private information so they can steal your identity. The scam works more often than others for one reason. People fear the IRS and respond just to be safe.
You are reading email one morning and a message catches your eye. It’s a notice from the IRS. The content either notifies you that a refund is do to you or you must answer some questions to clear up questions the IRS has. In either situation, you are asked to click a link and fill out your information. That form you are sent to looks official. It also asks for your legal name, address, phone number and social security number. In short, the Holy Grail for any identity thief. As soon as you click the submit button, you’ve just guaranteed yourself a heap of aggravation.
Why did you do this? It’s simple. Everyone fears the IRS. You are going to respond if the IRS contacts you. This is what the scam artists are counting on. The truth, however, is that you should set your fear aside. Why? Well, let’s start off with the most basic of things – the IRS does not contact people by email. The agency always sends out a written letter. If you are really unlucky, they show up in person in the form of an agent. At no point, however, will they contact you out of the blue with an email. Given this simple fact, it should be readily apparent that you have nothing to worry about when such emails come in and certainly should not respond to them.
There was a famous man that said we have nothing to fear but fear itself. In the case of scam IRS emails, this is very much the case.
Aaron
