• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Jobs
  • Career
    • Cyber Security Training
    • Work from Home
    • Cyber Security Analyst
    • Remote Work – Six Ways to Keep Your Data Safe When Working Remotely
  • Field Guide
  • Newsletter Signup
  • Deals
  • News
AskCyberSecurity.com

AskCyberSecurity.com

Cyber Security News & Information

  • Home
  • Data Privacy
    • Gamers
    • Government Cyber Security
      • Legislation
      • Standards
        • What are the risks of computer security?
        • Medical Cyber Security
    • Social Media
  • Security
    • Data Breaches
    • Scams
    • Malware
  • Software
    • Apps
    • Web Browsers
  • Glossary
    • Cyber Security Acronyms
  • About Ask Cyber Security
    • Authors
    • Contact Us
  • VPN
    • How Do I Know If My VPN is Working?
    • Best Free VPN iPhone
    • Why Use a VPN?
    • NordVPN vs IPVanish
    • Private Internet Access Download
    • Best VPN for Streaming
      • TikTok VPN
    • VPN Porn
    • Computer Security Software – What You Really Need
  • Tutorials
  • ChatGPT
    • Does ChatGPT Save Data?
AskCyber Home » News » Government Cyber Security » IRS Warns of New Email Tax Scam

IRS Warns of New Email Tax Scam

2019-08-26 by Michelle Dvorak

IRS Warns of Email Impersonation Tax Scam That Delivers Malware Attack

The US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) warned taxpayers of a new tax scam. Even though it is not tax season, the warning is a reminder that tax scams can occur at any time of year. In this new tax scam, emails purporting to be from the IRS are sent in an attempt to trick the recipient into clicking on links in the email. If the reader does click on a link, malware is downloaded to the users’ device. The scam emails have been reported nationwide.

In this scam, taxpayers receive unsolicited emails prompting them to take action on their taxpayer online account. The emails are designed to look as though they are official IRS emails. A variety of subject lines are used including “Automatic Income Tax Reminder” or “Electronic Tax Return Reminder.”

Avoid an IRS Tax Scam


The scam emails contain links containing text that are similar to names of official IRS and Treasury websites. They also contain supposed details of the taxpayer’s tax refund, electronic tax return, or tax account. The scam emails also contain a temporary or one-time password that is supposedly necessary to access tax records. The links lead to a malware download instead.

What is Malware?

Malware is any undesirable app, file, or program on an electronic device. Malware can include computer viruses, ransomware, spyware, keyloggers, and adware. Malware is used to steal information from the infected device. Usernames, passwords, account numbers, and other sensitive information can all be taken from computers, phones, routers and other hardware. Personal data is frequently used to steal money or gain access to other personal accounts.

What is Identity Theft?

Identity theft occurs when a hacker or scammer steals personal information and opens financial accounts, establishes medical records, accesses medical benefits, or acquires government new identification using the victim’s name. Hackers steal personal information like names, physical addresses, government identification, email accounts, tax records, or bank account details.

Stolen identity refund fraud can include using medical benefits in someone else’s name. The fraudster can accumulate unpaid expenses in the form insurance deductibles and unpaid co-pays.

How to Avoid a Tax Scam

The IRS doesn’t initiate contact with taxpayers by email, text messages, or social media to request personal or financial information. This IRS does not request for tax account PIN numbers or passwords. IRS agents do not take payment over the phone and never ask for credit cards, bank account numbers, or other financial account information. When a tax bill is legitimately owed, the IRS does not demand that payment be in a certain form like prepaid debit cards. Gift cards are never an acceptable form of payment.

Keep in mind, the IRS never initiates contact via email or telephone regarding the status of tax refunds or other concerns. If you receive an email that seems to be a tax scam, do not click on any of the links. Notify the IRS by forwarding the scam email to phishing@irs.gov If there is an issue, a letter is always sent through regular US Postal Service mail.

Filed Under: Government Cyber Security Tagged With: IRS, tax scam

About Michelle Dvorak

Michelle writes about cyber security, data privacy focusing on social media privacy as well as how to protect your IoT devices. She has worked in internet technology for over 20 years and owns METRONY, LLC. Michelle earned a B.S. in Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Michelle published a guide to Cyber Security for Business Travelers


LinkedInTwitterFacebook

Primary Sidebar

Subscribe to Our Free Newsletter

We Don't Share or Sell Your Info

Web Browsers

Where Are My Saved Passwords in Chrome?

Google Removes 70 Malicious Browser Add-ons from Chrome Web Store

Firefox 75 Reports Your Browser Settings to Mozilla

Categories

Cyber Security Field Guide

Computer Security While TravelingGet Our Cyber Security Field Guide - Available on Amazon!

Recent Posts

Security Marketing Manager – Remote

Sr. Associate, Cybersecurity Architect – Pfizer

Strategic Customer Success Manager – Cybersecurity – Opportunity for Working Remotely

Top 20 Passwords Leaked on Dark Web

ISU Cybersecurity Leader Job Opening

Cyber Security News

Top 20 Passwords Leaked on Dark Web

… [Read More...] about Top 20 Passwords Leaked on Dark Web

Apple Warns of Actively Exploited Zero-Day Flaw

… [Read More...] about Apple Warns of Actively Exploited Zero-Day Flaw

IRS Stops Facial Recognition System for Online Access

… [Read More...] about IRS Stops Facial Recognition System for Online Access

National Cybersecurity Alliance Announces Data Privacy Week

… [Read More...] about National Cybersecurity Alliance Announces Data Privacy Week

More Cyber Security News

Tags

amazon Android Apple bitcoin China chrome CISA credit card DarkSide DHS DOJ Equifax Europe Facebook facial recognition FBI Firefox FTC games GDPR Google Government hacker identity theft India iPhone Iran IRS LinkedIn Microsoft North Korea PayPal phishing phishing email ransomware REvil Russia smartphone T-Mobile TikTok tutorial VPN WhatsApp WiFi Windows

Government

CBP Looks to Access Airline Passenger Data

FTC Releases Cyber Threat Video Playlist

Malware Found on US Government Funded Phones

UK NCA Reaches Out to Youth to Deter Cybercrimes

More Posts from this Category

Footer

Menu

  • Home
  • About
  • Authors
  • Newsletter Signup
  • PRIVACY POLICY

Search

Why Use a VPN?

NordVPN vs IPVanish VPN Review

NAVIGATION

  • Data Breaches
  • Data Privacy
  • Gamers
  • Scams
  • Malware

MEMBER NJCCIC

New Jersey Cybersecurity & Communications Integration Cell

STAY CONNECTED

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube
  • Twitter
  • RSS

Copyright © 2023 · AskCyberSecurity.com · METRONY, LLC

Go to mobile version