Phishing Scams using IRS Name and Promising Refunds are on the Rise.

The IRS has published several warnings lately about increasing internet phishing scams using the IRS name and logo.

"Phishing" (an intentionally misspelled version of "fishing" (for information)) is a scam where someone fraudulently sends an e-mail to trick the potential victim into revealing personal data that can be used to steal the victims' identity and assets.

Once the identity thief has someone's personal data, they will use it to use to empty the victim's accounts, run up charges on the victim's credit cards, apply for new credit cards and/or obtain loans. I have even seen cases where the thief rented an apartment or bought a car.

A typical identity thief is just copying a scam that they've seen done by others. As law enforcement around the country focuses more on internet crimes, more of them are being caught.  However even when they are caught it is often after wrecking their victims' finances and credit.

A recent (and predictable) scam is that e-mails have been going out saying that the recipient is due a check under the "2008 Economic Stimulus Refund," but that the IRS needs their social security number and bank numbers to process the payment. In some cases, the phisher will call and impersonate an IRS employee.

Another version of the refund scams actually targets nonprofit organizations, says that the nonprofit is due a refund, and asks them click on a link and fill out a form with their information.

Sometimes the thief purports to be the IRS seeking donations for disaster victims, in order to obtain information.

There are even some reported cases of victims receiving an e-mail informing them that they are under criminal investigation by the IRS, and to click on a link for more information. The link contains a "trojan horse" that gives the identity thief remote access to seek information.

For info on how to report scams involving the IRS, see: http://www.irs.gov/privacy/article/0,,id=179820,00.html

Web Resources

Atlanta Business Attorney 

Atlanta Tax Attorney

Atlanta Small Business Attorney

Atlanta Probate Lawyer

Atlanta Immigration Lawyer