Update to IRS Scams

p class=BodyAs the a href=https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/tax-scams-consumer-alertsIRS has noted/a in its alerts to the public, a variety of different tax scams continue to rob people of millions of dollars and trick them into handing over sensitive personal information. Scammers use the regular mail, telephone, fax or email to set up their victims. This article, based directly on a number of IRS publications, is an update to prior blog articles that look at different, new scams affecting individuals, businesses, and tax professionals and offer tips on what do if you if you spot a tax scam./pp class=Body/pp class=BodystrongScams Targeting Tax Professionals/strong/pp class=BodyThe IRS notes the following:/pp class=BodyThese criminals – many of them sophisticated, organized syndicates - are redoubling their efforts to gather personal data to file fraudulent federal and state income tax returns. The Security Summit has a campaign aimed at increasing awareness among tax professionals: a href=https://www.irs.gov/tax-professionals/protect-your-clients-protect-yours... Your Clients; Protect Yourself/a. The Security Summit created the “Protect Your Clients, Protect Yourself” campaign to raise awareness among tax professionals about their legal obligation to protect taxpayer data as well as highlight security threats they face from identity thieves./pp class=BodySome of the recent scams that target the tax professional community include the following (though it should be noted that the tactics of the scammers continue to evolve rapidly and these tactics may change or become more sophisticated):/pulliTax Professionals Warned of a href=https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/consumer-alert-irs-warns-taxpayers-tax-pros... Scam/a./liliTax Professionals Warned of New Scam to a href=https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/security-summit-alert-tax-professionals-war...“Unlock” Tax Software Accounts/a./liliA phishing scheme a href=https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/new-phishing-scheme-mimics-software-provide... software providers/a targets tax professionals./lilia href=https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/tax-professionals-monitor-your-ptin-for-sus... target tax professionals/a to steal data such as PTINs, EFINs or e-Service passwords./liliAlso see this resource: a href=https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-warns-tax-preparers-to-watch-out-for-ne... Warns Tax Preparers to Watch out for New Phishing Scam; Don’t Click on Strange Emails or Links Seeking Updated Information/a/li/ulp class=Body /pp class=BodystrongScams Targeting Taxpayers/strong/pp class=BodyIn addition, scammers are targeting individual taxpayers directly through increasingly subtle, hard-to-spot methods, including the following as observed by the IRS./pulliIRS Impersonation Telephone Scams: An aggressive and sophisticated phone scam targeting taxpayers, including recent immigrants, has been making the rounds throughout the country. Callers claim to be employees of the IRS, using fake names and bogus IRS identification badge numbers. They may know a lot about their targets, and they usually alter the caller ID to make it look like the IRS is calling. /liliVictims are told they owe money to the IRS and it must be paid promptly through a pre-loaded debit card or wire transfer. Victims may be threatened with arrest, deportation or suspension of a business or driver’s license. In many cases, the caller becomes hostile and insulting. Or, victims may be told they have a refund due to try to trick them into sharing private information. If the phone isn't answered, the scammers often leave an “urgent” callback request./liliFor More Info Please See: a href=https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/consumer-alert-scammers-change-tactics-once... Alert: Scammers Change Tactics, Once Again/a/liliSoliciting Form W-2 Information From Payroll and Human Resources Professionals: The IRS has established a process that will allow businesses and payroll service providers to quickly report any data losses related to the W-2 scam currently making the rounds./liliSee details at a href=https://www.irs.gov/individuals/form-w2-ssn-data-theft-information-for-b... W2/SSN Data Theft: Information for Businesses and Payroll Service Providers/a./liliAlso see: a href=https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-states-and-tax-industry-renew-alert-abo..., States and Tax Industry Renew Alert about Form W-2 Scam Targeting Payroll, Human Resource Departments/a/lilia href=https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-alerts-payroll-and-hr-professionals-to-... Alerts Payroll and HR Professionals to Phishing Scheme Involving W-2s/a/liliSurge in Email, Phishing and Malware Schemes: When identity theft takes place over the web (email), it is called a href=https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/suspicious-e-mails-and-identity-theftphishi.... The IRS has issued several alerts about the fraudulent use of the IRS name or logo by scammers span style=text-decoration:line-throught/spanrying to gain access to consumers’ financial information to steal their identity and assets. /li/ulp class=BodyAs the a href=https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/tax-scams-consumer-alertsIRS recommends/a, it is crucial to understand that the IRS does not initiate contact with taxpayers by email, text messages or social media channels to request personal or financial information./pp class=BodyThat just does not happen. If it is happening to you, it is fraudulent./pp class=BodyIn addition, the IRS does not threaten taxpayers with lawsuits, imprisonment or other enforcement action. Recognizing these telltale signs of a phishing or tax scam could save you from becoming a victim./pp class=BodyDo not let the scammers care you into giving them your personal information, in other words./pp class=BodyIn conclusion, we think it is prudent that you engage the services of a reputable professional such as an IT expert or system security specialist who can provide you with a risk assessment or “system audit” as to your vulnerability to attack by system scammers./pp class=BodyIt’s also worth remembering the old adage that “you’re only as strong as your weakest link.” If one element in the chain of players in the business process falls short when implementing adequate security measures then all other dependent players in the chain are more susceptible to harm./p