IRS Warns Taxpayers To Watch Out For Phishing Scams
By Suzanne Monaghan
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The Internal Revenue Service is warning taxpayers to watch out for fake emails or websites looking to steal your personal information.
The email looks official enough, complete with the logo of a well-known bank, saying you owe hundreds of dollars in back taxes. It even appears to be from the IRS. But look closer -- it's from IRS-dot-com or something similar, not IRS-dot-gov, the official IRS website.
These phishing scams are more prevalent during tax season and the IRS has some online videos to help you avoid becoming a scammer's next victim.
"Clicking a link or opening an attachment could download malicious software on to your computer," the video warns. "That could allow the sender to access your passwords, bank information and other things on your computer."
The IRS will never initiate contact through email. So if you get an email claiming to be from the agency -- it's a scam.