Fake IRS letter? Heads Up.

[PATAX]

Client texted to me today an alleged "IRS" letter. Letterhead appears to be IRS letterhead. Here is what it says: "Dear Taxpayer: After the last annual calculations of your fiscal activity, we have determined that you are eligible to receive a tax return of $976.00. In order for us to process the excess payment, please complete the Tax Return Form before December 5, 2023. (then appears to be link to "Tax Return Form"). After completing the form, please allow 5-9 business days for processing. For your convenience, we recommend not using a prepaid card, because sending funds does not support this card. Sincerely, Internal Revenue Service." Client received it in an email. Sure sounds fake to me. 

[qbteachmt · Accepted solution]

Of course it's fake. You don't get a "return" and why are they expecting you to use a "card" at all?

[Terry53029]

Fake !!! IRS does not communicate with clients by E-Mail 

[BobKamman]

What if I am a tax preparer and I receive or I am a victim of an IRS-related or tax-related email?

See “How to verify contact from the IRS”.

If you determine that the contact is not legitimate:

• If the scam is IRS-related, report the incident to TIGTA and to us at phishing@irs.gov.
• If the scam is tax-related, report and to us at phishing@irs.gov.

If you are a victim of a security incident, please review Publication 4557PDF and contact your Stakeholder Liaison (SL)

For additional guidance please see FTC Data Breach Guidance: A Guide for Businesses.

https://www.irs.gov/privacy-disclosure/report-phishing 

[IRonMaN]

We had the same letter show up recently with one of our clients.  Evidently the friends of the recently departed Nigerian prince don’t quite have IRS lingo perfected yet.  They probably should stick with the prince death story since it is more convincing.

[PATAX]

Notice it said you are eligible to receive a tax return (sic) of $976.

[IRonMaN]

The one our client received had the same wording so a blind tax preparer still could spot that it was bogus.

[Just-Lisa-Now-]

IRS doesnt send Emails, so yes, its a scam.

[PATAX]

Yeah emails are also I believe the number one way that someone's computer gets infected with viruses. If I am not sure about an email then I open it up on my smartphone first. Little bit safer that way.

[BobKamman]

@IRonMaN  People in Minnesota always want to talk about Prince's death

[IRonMaN]

@BobKamman - But nobody has contacted me about getting a chunk of cash from that Prince's estate.  But I'll keep watching my e-mails ---------------- just in case.

[George4Tacks]

FYI - This is likely the letter - I received it from taxretun@irs.gov on the third and from IRS today

If you click on the blue box for Tax Return Form, you see this same letter. The link is "https://docs.google.com/drawings/d/1sVf3yQnsAcU3gDxaW6nJEvA159nqkft8J8bSdQxaC_Y/preview"

Looking at the message source, it appears to come from New Zealand. 

[PATAX]

Good job George.

[IRonMaN]

But after reviewing the letter, I am going to recommend to my clients that we start sending their tax returns to these guys since it only takes 5 - 9 business days to process. 😜