Be On Guard for Tax Help Fraud Schemes
By Michael Abramowitz

As the tax filing deadline approaches, the Internal Revenue Service wants computer users to be on the lookout for identity thieves.

Treasury department officials say online scammers send out hundreds of thousands of random e-mails containing false and deceiving information. The practice is called “Phishing.”

Recipients might receive messages claiming that they’re entitled to a refund or that they made an error on their tax returns. They are then directed to click on the address provided to go to an IRS Web site, complete with an IRS logo that looks official.

Both the logo and the Web site are phony. The intended victim is then prompted to supply personal information to the site.

Here’s what you should know to prevent being scammed:
The IRS never sends out unsolicited e-mails, and never asks for credit card information, Social Security numbers or PINs through e-mail.

The Inspector General for Tax Administration says you shouldn’t visit any Web site contained in an e-mail and should report any suspicious messages to them or the IRS.
Do not open an attachment to a suspicious e-mail, as it could allow an infectious code to enter your computer.

To visit the real IRS Web site, go to www.irs.gov. The home page has a special report on identity theft and Phishing.

You can also forward a suspicious e-mails to phishing@irs.gov.