THIS IS A CUT AND PASTE FROM THE ORLANDO, FL NEWS PAPER
Bogus IRS E-Mail Phishes For Personal Info
IRS Says It Does Not Send Unsolicited E-Mails
WINTER PARK, Fla. -- While many are strapped for cash, others are out to steal what's left in your bank account.
The most recent scam arriving on home computers is bogus e-mail claiming to be from the Internal Revenue Service.
Video: Bogus IRS E-Mail Phishes For Personal Info
The e-mail, which looks legit with the IRS logo, phishes for recipients' important financial information.
"The IRS does not send unsolicited e-mails," Sue Hales of the IRS said.
The attached form, which is not a form the IRS even has, claims to protect the tax exemptions of non-resident aliens.
The form requests social security numbers, passport numbers, mother's maiden name, bank name and account numbers
"Don't respond. That info is very important and it can be used to help with identity theft," Hales said. "You want to be extremely careful. Do not respond."
There are also other issues with bogus scam e-mails like this one: At times they can infect computers with viruses.
"The scammers get a hold of these phishing scams and they tweak them a little bit and the form numbers and the dollar amounts may change, but they're all looking for the same thing -- your personal financial information," Hales said.
The IRS said to not to send this information out, but rather forward the e-mail to phishing@irs.gov and then delete it.
Bogus IRS E-Mail Phishes For Personal Info
IRS Says It Does Not Send Unsolicited E-Mails
WINTER PARK, Fla. -- While many are strapped for cash, others are out to steal what's left in your bank account.
The most recent scam arriving on home computers is bogus e-mail claiming to be from the Internal Revenue Service.
Video: Bogus IRS E-Mail Phishes For Personal Info
The e-mail, which looks legit with the IRS logo, phishes for recipients' important financial information.
"The IRS does not send unsolicited e-mails," Sue Hales of the IRS said.
The attached form, which is not a form the IRS even has, claims to protect the tax exemptions of non-resident aliens.
The form requests social security numbers, passport numbers, mother's maiden name, bank name and account numbers
"Don't respond. That info is very important and it can be used to help with identity theft," Hales said. "You want to be extremely careful. Do not respond."
There are also other issues with bogus scam e-mails like this one: At times they can infect computers with viruses.
"The scammers get a hold of these phishing scams and they tweak them a little bit and the form numbers and the dollar amounts may change, but they're all looking for the same thing -- your personal financial information," Hales said.
The IRS said to not to send this information out, but rather forward the e-mail to phishing@irs.gov and then delete it.
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