Well we are coming into tax season and as happens every year around this time, scammers start sending out e-amils in hopes of tricking you out of sensitive information that they can then use to steal your identity, infect you with a virus or malware or any number of things.
Below you will read an actual e-mail received be a client. This e-maill also contained an attachment called "balance_report.doc". THIS ATTACHMENT SHOULD NOT BE OPENED!!!
Please be aware that the IRS will NEVER e-mail you anything. Should you receive an e-mail similar to this please take the time to report it to the IRS by going to their website at: http://www.irs.gov.
Here is what the e-mail looks like:
Dear business owner,
We have recently received a complaint against your company. The complaint was filled by a former employee of your company and containts evidence that your company performs tax evasion.
Due to a confidentiality agreement signed between your formed employee and IRS we are unable to reveal his identity.Before we initiate a deep investigation of your company we wanted to be sure that the data provided with this report is authentic.
That's why we have sent you this e-mail , please check the balance report attached to this message.
If you discover any errors in the report ( check the income/outcome section ), please e-mail me as soon as possible to get this situation solved before criminal prosecution is initiated.
Thank you
George Hastings
Tax Evasion Prevention Department
Internal Revenue Service
Please take the time to read this and remember to be aware, be informed and be safe!
