IRS Warns of E-mail Tax Refund Scam

The IRS today issued a consumer alert (IR-2005-136) about an Internet scam in which consumers receive an e-mail informing them of a tax refund. The e-mail, which claims to be from the IRS, directs the consumer to a link that requests personal information, such as Social Security number and credit card information. This scheme is an attempt to trick the e-mail recipients into disclosing their personal and financial data. The practice is called “phishing” for information.

For the actual email, see here.  For press reports, see:

• L.A. Times
• New York Times
• Wall Street Journal
• Washington Post