Today’s Scam of the day is about a phishing email presently circulating that appears to come from the IRS informing you that you that there are issues with your income tax return that require you to download software to review your return to avoid penalties.  Like so many scams, it attempts to convince you that there is an emergency that requires your immediate attention.  However, if you click on the link, you will either download dangerous malware or be prompted to provide personal information that will lead to identity theft.

This particular phishing email is not particularly convincing and is riddled with indications that it is a scam.  First, the email address of the sender has no relation to the IRS; Second, it never refers to the person it is being sent to by name, but only to “Dear Taxpayer,” Third, it contains grammatical and spelling errors, Fourth, there is no such entity in the IRS called IRS Administration Support.  It also is odd that it is being sent now since only people who got an extension on the filing of their income tax return would be filing a return in October.

Here is a copy of the phishing email which contains the IRS logo, but that is easily counterfeited.

It is easy to know when you get an email from the IRS as to whether it really was sent by the IRS because the IRS will never initiate contact with you by an email, text message or phone call.

BS, Be Skeptical.  It is always a good rule to follow to never click on a link in an email or text message or provide personal information in response to an email or text message unless you have absolutely confirmed that the communication is legitimate.

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