IRS warns of e-mail scam

Although it may look like a legitimate e-mail notice from the IRS, it may really be a scam to bilk you of your money.

The e-mail states that the person receiving the notice is under criminal investigation for submitting a false tax return to the California Franchise Board.

The e-mail then seeks to entice a person to click on the link or to open an attachment so that he can learn more about the complaint.

The IRS is warning that the e-mail link and attachment is a Trojan Horse that can take over a person's computer hard drive and allow someone to have remote access to the computer.

"The IRS is urging people not to click the link, the e-mail, or open the attachment," said William E. Brunson, IRS Media Relation.

Instead, they should forward the e-mail to phishing@irs.gov.

The IRS does not send out unsolicited e-mails or ask for detailed personal and financial information. Nor does it ask people for the PIN numbers, passwords or similar secret access.

"Everyone should be aware of these scam artists," said Kevin M. Brown, Acting IRS Commissioner. "Always exercise caution when you receive unsolicited e-mails or e-mails from senders you don't know."

The IRS has received more than 17,700 e-mails from taxpayers reporting more than 240 separate phising incidents.

Other popular scams try to entice taxpayers to click their way to a fake IRS site and ask for bank account numbers.

Another widespread e-mail tells taxpayers the IRS is holding a refund (often $63.80) for them and seeks financial account information.

For more information go to IRS.gov.