Phishing E-mails Surrounding ‘Tax Refund’ Target Irish Citizens

Numerous Irish citizens have reportedly got an e-mail, which apparently has been sent from the Tax Office in Ireland, as reported by LIMERICK LEADER on July 18, 2009.

The e-mail is a phishing mail that asks for the recipient's bank account particulars so that he may apply for a tax refund for the fiscal year 2008-09. The e-mail also mentions the amount of the refund as j238.

Further, the unsolicited phony e-mail reportedly originates from an e-mail ID, irish@revenue.ie that is actually the Irish Tax Office's address.

But the Tax Office, denying any connection with the e-mail, posted an alert on the homepage of its official website cautioning taxpayers that it is bogus and clearly a scam.

It is explained that the Revenue Commissioners communicates with people only through written correspondences and does not ever dispatch e-mails. Furthermore, it doesn't request netizens to furnish their bank information.

Hence, the Tax Office advised anyone getting an e-mail posing as a message from the Revenue Commissioners to simply delete it. However, if anyone actually has a pending tax reimbursement, then he should get in touch with his area Revenue Office and get a status confirmation, the Tax Office outlined in its alert.

If anyone has already divulged his private details in reply to the phishing e-mail, then he should get in touch with his credit card firm or bank instantly. Additionally, he should reset his username and password as part of security measures.

Security specialists state that it is common to find phishing e-mails relating to tax refunds around the tax time. Phishers use the topic as a hot favorite to lure gullible taxpayers into revealing their financial and other personal information. Those who become victims end up parting with their cash as well as personal identity. Therefore, it is advisable that everyone give second thoughts prior to replying to such tempting e-mails.

Additionally, users should deploy up-to-date anti-spam filters to prevent the entry of these e-mails into their inboxes, the experts said.

Related article: Phishing With A Redirector Code

» SPAMfighter News - 8/8/2009