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Taxpayers Targeted With IRS Phishing E-Mails

US' government's tax agency Internal Revenue Service in Michigan (USA) is alerting of a phishing campaign, which consumers require being wary of, reported AZFamily.com during the 1st-week of May 2011.

In a statement IRS observes, e-mails are making the rounds, which supposedly come from the agency and entice victims into the scammers' trap through a notification that they're entitled for a tax-reimbursement.

Spokesman Luis Garcia for the IRS in Michigan states that the reimbursement sum is approximately $68. Mlive.com published this on May 9, 2011.

Furthermore according to Garcia, the techniques the scammers are employing are quite advanced. Thus they're dispatching e-mails, which take the user onto an online site having the IRS logo along with formal-appearing details, with the e-mails themselves appearing as though they're genuine. Thereafter, they query things such as the recipients' names, his PIN number, the maiden name of his mother and stuff which the IRS wouldn't ever enquire.

Also, the messages notify recipients that an error has been committed, so he would be receiving some money back.

Interestingly, during certain instances, the e-mails trick recipients into hitting something, which downloads spying software or a PC-virus capable of seizing the user's information. At other instances, the e-mails in addition to filching the user's money, acquire sufficient details of his so a fake IT (income tax) submission could be made in his name, adds Garcia.

But, the IRS is reiterating that it doesn't ever dispatch e-mails to establish contact with anyone paying taxes.

However, for remaining safe from the above scams, IRS suggests netizens certain measures. First, if any consumer gets a doubtful mail online asserting that the IRS has sent it then he shouldn't follow any given web-link.

Additionally he should send the dubious message along with the URL address included in it to phishing@irs.gove of IRS before erasing the e-mail wholly. Also, if anybody feels he'd like to get in touch with the IRS then he should enter the irs.gov URL manually into his Web-browser's address bar. Finally, taxpayers wanting details regarding the phishing scam or any help associated with it should dial the IRS helpline phone-numbers.

Related article: Taxpayers Warned About Fake IRS Websites

» SPAMfighter News - 5/14/2011

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