Scam E-Mail Claims To Be IRS

Tens of thousands of people are learning they're under criminal investigation from the IRS for filing false tax returns. At least that's what they think after opening the latest scam e-mail that

Friday, June 1st 2007, 9:52 am

By: News On 6

Tens of thousands of people are learning they're under criminal investigation from the IRS for filing false tax returns. At least that's what they think after opening the latest scam e-mail that could steal your identity. The News On 6â€™s Heather Lewin reports most people these days are aware of phony emails tricking you into opening them, but there's one subject line that might really get your attention, a message from the IRS.

"You tell a consumer, look we're the IRS. You're under criminal investigation for not filing your tax form, or hey we're the IRS and it looks like we may actually have a refund for you, people are gonna respond to that," said Rick Brinkley of the Better Business Bureau.

It's the latest scam that comes with a little gift attached, a Trojan horse. The virus is downloaded and monitors every keystroke in your computer, recording passwords, account numbers and more. Brinkley says while such an email may be intimidating, the IRS does not send unsolicited messages online and will not ask for your personal and financial information.

"If they need to get ahold of you, I assure you they can use the U.S. Postal Service to find you,â€ said Brinkley. â€œFreeze your account. They're not gonna send you a random email."

More than 17,000 people have reported IRS scams in the past year. The criminal investigation threat is just the latest version.

If you receive any suspicious emails, don't open them, but forward it on to phishing@irs.gov.

Watch the video: Scam Artists Target E-Mail, Claiming To Be IRS

For more information, visit www.irs.gov.