Because so many people prepare and e-file their taxes, many think the Internal Revenue Service uses e-mail to contact them about their taxes.

The IRS does not contact taxpayers by e-mail to alert them of a tax problem or pending refunds and never asks for personal financial information through e-mail. These are common phishing scams.

Many scam e-mails mention refunds, ask about a tax returns or threaten an audit if the e-mail recipient fails to respond. Taxpayers receiving such e-mails should not open any attachments or click on any links because they may have malicious code that can infect their computers.

Anyone receiving an unexpected e-mail that claims to be from the IRS should assume its a scam. The scamster wants to get your personal and financial information -- such as name, Social Security number, bank account and credit card or even PIN numbers -- and steal your money or your identity.

Forward suspicious e-mails that claim to come from the IRS to a special mailbox here (and if possible include the headers received with the e-mail). If you are want to verify that someone claiming to be with the IRS is really trying to contact you, call the IRS toll-free number, (800) 829-1040, and ask.

Go Back