Cybercriminals know how to exploit your cybersecurity weaknesses as well as your emotions to obtain your information. Tax collection can be a particularly stressful ordeal which cybercriminals easily take advantage of. The internal revenue services scam has emerged as a major threat to personal and financial security. This scam can come through in many formats, all aimed at pressuring you to take an action that will reveal your sensitive information. Continue reading to learn how to spot the different types of IRS scams and how to defend your finances against them.
Understanding the Internal Revenue Services Scam
The internal revenue services scam can take many forms, but it always involves the scammer posing as a representative of the IRS or another tax agency. Their goal is to trick you into providing personal information or giving them money. Learning about the different types of IRS scams will help you more readily identify one when it comes along and avoid becoming another victim.
Phishing Emails
Phishing is one of the most common and dangerous forms of the internal revenue services scam. In this type of scam, you receive an email that appears to be from the IRS or another tax authority. The email might contain official-looking logos, language, and formatting to make it seem legitimate. The message often includes a link or attachment the sender wants you to click to resolve a supposed tax issue.
Never click on a link or download an attachment from an unfamiliar email. Doing so could install malware on your device and allow scammers to steal your personal information such as social security numbers, bank account details, and more. These types of phishing emails may also redirect you to fake websites designed to capture your sensitive information when you attempt to log in or fill out a form.
When combating phishing scams, it’s best to use the SLAM method, especially when it comes to the internal revenue services scam. If you receive an unsolicited email claiming to be from the IRS, verify the sender by contacting the IRS directly using the official contact information found on their website. Don’t click on any website links in the email as these could take you to a fake page. It’s best to look up the IRS’ official website and access their contact information that way. It should also be noted though that the IRS mostly contacts people through traditional mail and will never ask for personal information via email. If you suspect you have gotten an IRS email scam, forward it to [email protected] so the professionals can investigate it and stop these scammers.
Phone Scams
Another common form of the internal revenue services scam involves scammers contacting you by phone, also known as voice phishing or vishing. In these calls, scammers will claim to be IRS agents and threaten you with legal action, arrest, or even deportation to coerce you into making a payment. They often demand payment through non-traditional methods like gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency, which should immediately raise suspicion.
If you do receive a threatening phone call from someone claiming to be with the IRS, do not provide any personal information and hang up. Scammers will prey on your emotions and use threats to convince you to pay. The IRS would never do this and will always contact you through the traditional mail first.
Just like with phishing scams, report phone call scams to [email protected]. Be sure to include the phone number of the scammer and a brief description of what you were asked to do. If possible, provide the name of the caller and the exact time and date you received the call(s) in this email.
Text Message Scams
Text message scams or smishing is a form of phishing involving text messages instead of emails. In this type of internal revenue services scam, you will receive a text message claiming to be from the IRS. Like traditional phishing attacks, this message will ask you to click on a link or provide personal information. They will also use fear tactics to scare you into complying in order to avoid severe penalties or legal consequences.
As with other forms of the internal revenue services scam, do not engage with the scammer. If you receive a suspicious text, do not reply, click on any links, or provide any information. Just like the previous scams, you should report this one using the email [email protected], but you can also report this by sending a text message to 7726 (SPAM). Copy and paste the text message into the report or send a screen shot of the communication. Include the scammer’s caller ID in your message as well. After the scam has been reported, block the sender and delete the text immediately to avoid opening it again.
Tips to Protect Yourself from IRS Scams
The internal revenue services scam can come in many different forms so it’s important for you to know what each type looks like to avoid losing data and money. Each format has its own tells, but there are a few good practices everyone can use when facing IRS scams.
- Verify the identity of the sender. Look at the IRS’ official contact information on their website and reach out to them directly for added security.
- Be skeptical of any communication asking for personal information or payment. The IRS typically communicates with taxpayers through written notices sent in the mail so email, text, or phone messages should be a red flag.
- Never share personal or financial information over the phone, through email, or via text message. Instead, use secure methods for communication and always ensure you’re dealing with a legitimate IRS agent.
- Stay informed about the latest types of internal revenue services scams and phishing techniques. The more you know, the better prepared you’ll be to recognize and avoid these scams.
Don’t Let IRS Scams Disrupt Your Life
IRS scams can cause unimaginable stress and falling victim to one can wreak havoc on your life. At Strategy IT we are committed to protecting you and your practice from internal revenue services scams and other cybersecurity threats so you can focus on what really matters. Our team of experts can help set up advanced security measures to detect and prevent scams before they can do any harm. Book a conversation with us today and let us stop the IRS scammers and other cybercriminals before they steal your data.
