Below is the sneaky scam email I got today. The link takes you to a website that looks exactly like the official IRS website. This page this link takes you too asks for your SS# as well as Debit card information where the refund will be made to. Too bad the website address was http://196.12.43.105/refunds, not irs.gov. So I figured it out. I wasn't expecting a refund anyway, but be careful.
Scammers are smart. The email address even said it was from the address refunds@irs.gov.
IRS WEBSITE states that Recipients of questionable e-mails claiming to come from the IRS should not open any attachments or click on any links contained in the e-mails. Instead, they should forward the e-mails to phishing@irs.gov. You can also forward suspicious e-mails to the Federal Trade Commission at: spam@uce.gov .
http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=170894,00.html
Phishing, as it is called, is the act of sending an e-mail to a user falsely claiming to be an established legitimate enterprise in an attempt to scam the user into surrendering private information that will be used for identity theft.
----- Original Message -----
From: Internal Revenue Service (refunds@irs.gov)
Cc: recipient list not shown:
Sent: Wednesday, September 26, 2007 5:19 AM
Subject: You are eligible for a refund - Internal Revenue Service ( IRS )
After the last annual calculations of your fiscal activity we have determined that you are eligible to receive a tax refund of $211.Please submit the tax refund request and allow us 6-9 days in order to process it.
You can apply for your refund online here (takes you to a link to website that looks exactly like irs.gov page).
A refund can be delayed for a variety of reasons. For example submitting invalid records or applying after the deadline. Please be carefull when entering your data.
Regards, Internal Revenue Service
© Copyright 2007, Internal Revenue Service U.S.A..
