Income Tax - Phishing Scam
“Phishing” is when a malicious person or company impersonates a legitimate one in order to trick you into giving out your personal information, such as credit card numbers, passwords, social security numbers, etc.
Some citizens and companies of Pueblo County have received e-mails stating “LAST NOTICE: Your Federal Tax Payment has been rejected”. They are then instructed to click on a link for more information and for directions to remedy the situation. This link takes you to what looks like the Internal Revenue Service website. It isn’t. As the Internal Revenue Service already has your personal information on the income tax forms that you submitted, they will NEVER contact you in this manner.
This type of email is dangerous in more ways than one. The first problem that it will cause is that by clicking on the link, you may open your computer up to a virus that will attack it, thus making your computer vulnerable for someone to obtain any personal information stored on the computer. The other problem is that when you reach the next website that you were routed to, you will be asked to input personal information as to your date of birth, address, social security number, credit card numbers, etc.
Steps to safeguard your personal information:
- NEVER give your personal information over the phone or on the internet
- If you do have to provide sensitive information, such as your credit card number, over the internet, please be sure that your anti-virus programs are up-to-date and that you have double checked the URL address of the website to assure yourself that you are actually dealing with a reputable company.
- If you are a victim of an online tax scam, file a complaint with the Internal Revenue Service on their website located at www.irs.gov. You may also file a complaint with the Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov.
IDENTIFY A SCAM BEFORE A SCAM IDENTIFIES YOU!
