Tax-related scams have become increasingly common, and they happen year-round. Fraudsters will contact you pretending to be from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), a tax accounting service, or another tax-related agency. You could receive fake emails, phone calls, letters, or other communications. What Should I Watch For? Be on high alert for phishing emails, which attempt to steal information such as tax IDs, account information, passwords, and other valuable data. Be immediately suspicious of any unsolicited communication (email, text message, letter, or call) that asks for your Social Security Number, login credentials, or other personal information. Beware of Tax-Related SCAMS How Can I Avoid These Scams? Here are some frequently asked questions that can help protect you from these tax-related scams: Will the IRS contact me via email? Q. A. The IRS will never initiate contact with you via e-mail, text messages, or social media with a request for personal or financial data. Be extremely careful with any unsolicited email that claims to be from the IRS. What should I do if I receive an e-mail or text message claiming to be from the IRS or another tax service that asks for sensitive information? Q. A. Do not reply! Do not click on any links or download any attachments. Forward any IRS-related emails to [email protected]. Delete the original message without responding. Inbox Inbox Sent Drafts Trash IRS - Taxes 2016 Taxes FWD: [email protected] We thank you for your help and attention to this important security initiative. Are there any trusted resources I can use to identify e-mail scams or websites claiming to be the IRS? Q. A. The IRS website highlights examples of e-mail scams and bogus websites. Find this information online by typing the following URL into your web browser: What should I do if I discover a website claiming to be the IRS that I suspect is not legitimate? Q. A. Do not click any links, download any files, or submit any information. Send the URL to [email protected]. If I receive a suspicious tax-related email while at work, should I notify my company? Q. A. Yes! You should follow your organization’s guidelines for reporting suspicious e-mails. Your IT team can help you determine if a message is legitimate. In addition to confirming requests for your personal data, you should verify any email that asks you to provide copies of W-2 forms or your coworkers’ tax-related information. What should I do if I receive an unsolicited phone call or letter claiming to be from the IRS that I suspect may not be legitimate? Q. A. Contact the IRS yourself to confirm any requests made via phone or letter, particularly those that are threatening or demand immediate payment. Visit www.irs.gov/uac/report-phishing for phone numbers and other tips. 40 24th St, Pittsburgh, PA 15222 www.wombatsecurity.com +1 (412) 621 1484 | +44 (0) 118 402 9163 Copyright © 2018 Proofpoint Inc.

Beware of Tax-Related SCAMS - Wombat Security · Here are some frequently asked questions that can help protect you from these tax-related scams: Q. Will the IRS contact me via email?

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What Should I Watch For?Be on high alert for phishing emails, which attempt to steal information such as tax IDs, account information, passwords, and other valuable data. Be immediately suspicious of any unsolicited communication (email, text message, letter, or call) that asks for your Social Security Number, login credentials, or other personal information.

Beware of Tax-RelatedSCAMS

How Can I Avoid These Scams?Here are some frequently asked questions that can help protect you from these tax-related scams:

Will the IRS contact me via email?Q.

A. The IRS will never initiate contact with you via e-mail, text messages, or social media with a request for personal or financial data. Be extremely careful with any unsolicited email that claims to be from the IRS.

What should I do if I receive an e-mail or text message claiming to be from the IRS or another tax service that asks for sensitive information?

A. Do not reply! Do not click on any links or download any attachments. Forward any IRS-related emails to [email protected]. Delete the original message without responding.

Inbox

InboxSentDraftsTrash

IRS - Taxes2016 Taxes

FWD: [email protected]

We thank you for your help and attention to this important security initiative.

Are there any trusted resources I can use to identify e-mail scams or websites claiming to be the IRS?

A. The IRS website highlights examples of e-mail scams and bogus websites. Find this information online by typing the following URL into your web browser:

What should I do if I discover awebsite claiming to be the IRS that I suspect is not legitimate?

A. Do not click any links, download any files, or submit any information. Send the URL to [email protected].

If I receive a suspicious tax-related email while at work, should I notify my company?

A. Yes! You should follow your organization’s guidelines for reporting suspicious e-mails. Your IT team can help you determine if a message is legitimate. In addition to confirming requests for your personal data, you should verify any email that asks you to provide copies of W-2 forms or your coworkers’ tax-related information.

What should I do if I receive an unsolicited phone call or letter claiming to be from the IRS that I suspect may not be legitimate?

A. Contact the IRS yourself to confirm any requests made via phone or letter, particularly those that are threatening or demand immediate payment. Visit www.irs.gov/uac/report-phishing for phone numbers and other tips.