By ANN CARRNS
Tax season is finally closed: Tuesday was the deadline for filing your federal income tax return.
While the Internal Revenue Service encourages electronic filing of returns, it doesn’t yet make use of e-mail or social media tools to begin communication with taxpayers, because of security concerns. The agency says that is important to keep in mind in light of recent tax-related phishing schemes that try to lure taxpayers into visiting fictitious Web sites and providing sensitive financial information.
Earlier this year, for instance, a phishing scam sent out e-mails purporting to be from the I.R.S., announcing a fake “early filing” deadline and high penalty for missing it. The e-mail directed users to a bogus Web site that tried to mimic the official I.R.S. site, and asked them for personal and financial information, like bank account numbers and birth dates.
In response, the I.R.S. emphasizes that it “does not initiate contact with taxpayers by e-mail or any social media tools to request personal or financial information.” Further, it says, the agency doesn’t “send e-mails stating you are being electronically audited or that you are getting a refund.”
“This includes any type of electronic communication, such as text messages and social media channels,” the agency says.
So what should you do if you get a suspicious e-mail that claims to be from the I.R.S.?
Don’t reply to the e-mail, the agency advises. And don’t click on any links included in the message, or open any attachments. Doing so can make your computer vulnerable to viruses or other attacks. Rather, forward the e-mail, as is, to [email protected]. Then delete the e-mail from your account.
Similarly, if you discover a Web site that appears to be fraudulent, you can send the url to the same e-mail address.
Have you ever received suspicious e-mails that appeared to be from the I.R.S.?
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