A new security scam has been identified by the IRS, that you may want to keep an eye out for. The new scheme is coming in the mail in a cardboard envelope. It will include IRS letterhead and will state it is “in relation to your unclaimed refund.” The letter will also include contact information and a phone number that do not belong to the IRS and may even include sensitive information like a picture of your driver’s license. IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel says, “This is just the latest in the long string of attempts by identify thieves posing as the IRS in hopes of tricking people into providing valuable personal information to steal identities and money, including tax refunds. These scams can come in through email, text, or even special mailings. People should be careful to watch out for red flags that clearly mark these as IRS scams.”
The letter you receive in the mail tell recipients they need to provide “Filing Information” for their refund and include some awkwardly worded phrases like these:
“A clear Phone of Your Driver’s License That Clearly Displays All Four (4) Angles, Taken in a Place with Good Lighting.”
“You’ll need to get this to get your refunds after filing. These must be given to a filing agent who will help you submit your unclaimed property claim. Once you send all the information please try to be checking your email for response from the angels. Thanks.”
The IRS warns that “Individuals should never respond to tax-related phishing or smishing or click on the URL link. Instead, the scams should be reported by sending the email or a copy of the text/SMS as an attachment to phishing@irs.gov. The report should include the caller ID (email or phone number), date, time and time zone, and the number that received the message.” You can also report this scam and any others you may come across to the ‘Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration’, ‘Internet Crime Complaint Center.’
We hope you find this information helpful as you begin to prepare for the upcoming tax season. Listed below, you will find some links with commonly asked questions about this scam. And as always, the information for our main office downtown will be listed as well. Don’t forget to check back for more!
LINKS
o https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-security-summit-partners-warn-taxpayers-of-new-scam-unusual-delivery-service-mailing-tries-to-trick-people-into-sending-photos-bank-account-information#main-content
o https://www.tigta.gov/irs-scam-resources
o https://www.ic3.gov
Ned Jackson Downtown Office
Address
255 N Liberty Street
Jacksonville, FL 32202
Phone
(904) 356-0349
Email
info@nedjacksontax.com
