A mass mailing went out this week warning recipients that the IRS was looking into the recipient under reporting income. Be on the look out for this fake email from the IRS giving notice ofunreported/underreported income because it is a phishing scam.
The fake email notice from the IRS about underreported income masquerades as a legitimate IRS Notice called a CP2000, which would provide you with a legitimate contact at the IRS. Check the following link to Snopes.com for more information.
Spammers started sending out e-mails telling readers “Madonna caught swine flu” and “Swine flu in Hollywood” to lure people to pharmacy Web sites, according to McAfee Avert Labs, an online security company.
Scammers read newspapers, watch TV and surf the Internet and they know that by using a hook from the day’s top headlines, that they’ll be able to catch lots of fish.
BBB officials say more than 250 Web sites with the word swine flu were registered within days of the outbreak. That gives scammers a home base from which to dupe unsuspecting victims.
The organization is offering three tips to avoid being scammed:
• Avoid opening e-mail from an unknown source, and don’t click on any links in the body of the e-mail.
• Don’t believe online offers for vaccines against swine flu. They don’t exist.
• Make sure your anti-virus software is up to date to avoid your computer catching a deadly virus.
SCAM ALERT
"Phishing" scams are not just limited to the Internet. The ABA has recently become aware of a scheme using the "American Bankers Association" name that is intended to trick the unwary into disclosing confidential security information related to their savings and checking accounts. The "phish" works like this; an advertisement is placed in a local newspaper seeking to hire survey takers to "evaluate" local banks. Those who apply to the position are sent a package of papers from the "American Bankers Association" that includes a list of bank branches and a very elaborate survey. The survey takers are instructed to go to their assigned bank, open an account with their own money, and then forward the survey, account information and security information to an address in South Carolina. Any individual who complies with the instructions will quickly lose any money that they deposit into that account.
The ABA is in no way affiliated with this bogus "survey." While they are unaware of any individuals who have actually experienced a loss as a result of this scam, the ABA is working with law enforcement officials to track down the individuals behind the attempted fraud.
CONSUMERS ALERT TO STIMULUS AND TAX REBATE CHECK SCAM
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the U.S. Department of Justice are warning consumers about emails and phone calls from scammers claiming to be from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Social Security Administration (SSA). The IRS does not gather information for rebates by telephone. Nor does it send unsolicited e‐mail to taxpayers about tax account matters. Filing a tax return is the only way to apply for a tax refund; there is no separate application form. Similarly, if you get an email out of the blue from someone claiming to be from the IRS that asks you to call a phone number or email back your personal information, don't click on any links. Forward it to phishing@irs.gov, and then delete it. Clicking on a link in an unsolicited email carries risks of spyware, pagejacking, and phishing threats that can lead to the theft of your identity.