CRIME PREVENTION TIP
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Email Scam
March 18, 2006

Every year during tax time we all worry about filing on time, paying what we owe, and when our refunds are coming. Well, this year we have an additional and potentially more worrisome concern. The IRS and the Treasury Department have recently reported a significant increase in email “phishing” scams this year in which fraudulent spammers send official looking emails that use the IRS logo in a effort to trick taxpayers into providing personal information like their social security number. The emails appear legitimate and because they claim to be from the IRS using addresses like “tax-refunds@irs.gov” or “admin@irs.gov”, people may feel obligated to reply and provide their personal information. Once these spammers have your personal information they will use it to commit such financial crimes as applying for loans or opening credit card accounts--all in your good name. Government agencies and companies do not communicate about personal information by way of email. They also don’t ask for passwords, personal identification (pin) numbers, or other private information about financial accounts unless you contact them.

Remember, identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in America, but you can minimize your risk of being victimized by taking a few simple precautions:

· Never give out your personal information over the phone or Internet unless you have initiated the contact.

· Check your credit records once a year with the three major credit bureaus – Equifax, Experian, and Transunion.

· Report suspicious activity right away.

· Victims of this particular scam can file a report to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration at 800-366-4484.

Please pass on this infromation.