Have you received any really weird emails lately that look they are from the federal government? I did. It’s so weird, it makes you wonder what kind of person takes the time to come up with this junk.
This type of tax scam emails surface on the internet from time to time. There’s only one thing you can do – delete it! And don’t even think about clicking on any links inside the email.
And always remember this:
The IRS does not initiate taxpayer communications through e-mail.
Here’s the beginning of a scam email I received this week:
EXCERPT FROM TAX SCAM EMAIL
SUBJECT: LAST NOTICE: Your Federal Tax Payment has been rejected.
Your Federal Tax Payment ID: 010375250 has been rejected.
Return Reason Code R21 – The identification number used in the Company Identification Field is not valid.
Please, check the information and refer to Code R21 to get details about your company payment in transaction contacts section:
In other way forward information to your accountant adviser.
2. m i. Robert H. DOROUGH, born 10 Feb 1704 in James City County, Virginia.
EFTPS: The Electronic Federal Tax Payment System
PLEASE NOTE: Your tax payment is due regardless of EFTPS online availability. In case of an emergency, you can always make your tax payment by calling the EFTPS.
END OF EXCERPT FROM TAX SCAM EMAIL
Amazing, isn’t it?
The rest of the email is a bunch of mumbo jumbo that makes no sense whatsoever.
For more info on internet tax scams, check out the IRS website:
“How to Report and Identify Phishing, E-Mail Scams and Bogus IRS Web Sites”
http://www.irs.gov/privacy/article/0,,id=179820,00.html?portlet=1