Beware of Tax-Time Scams
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is specifically cautioning Internet users about identity thieves that are sending out thousands of phony phishing email messages in the name of the IRS. The fraudulent messages use email addresses like tax-refunds@irs.gov and admin@irs.gov and request that recipients click on a link that takes them to a bogus IRS website where they are asked to provide sensitive financial information.
While the IRS may use email to contact you, they are currently not contacting citizens by email, so any email that appears to come from the IRS should be considered suspect. You can contact the IRS at their toll-free number, 800-829-1040, with questions on the legitimacy of any communications.
For more information, read the IRS announcement about the "Dirty Dozen" Tax Scams for 2006 and information on phishing, identity theft and other scams that use the IRS name illegally.
About the Author
Sandy Berger is a nationally-known author and has written several books on computers.
