New Scam Involves IRS e-Services User Agreements

The IRS recently warned all e-Services users to beware a new phishing scam that tries to trick tax professionals into “signing” a new e-Services user agreement. The phishing scam seeks to steal passwords and data.

All tax professionals should be aware that as e-Services begins its move later this month to Secure Access authentication and its two-factor protections, cybercriminals likely will make last-ditch efforts to steal passwords and data prior to the transition.

Don’t take the bait! The scam email claims to be from “e-Services Registration” and uses “Important Update about Your e-Services Account” in the subject line.

It states, in part, “We are rolling out a new user agreement and all registered users must accept its revised terms to have access to e-Services and its products.” It asks you to review and accept the agreement but takes you to a fake site instead.

If you have clicked onto this link, you should perform a deep scan with your security software, contact your office’s IT/cybersecurity personnel and contact the IRS e-Help Desk.

To read more about what the IRS is doing to protect your accounts with Secure Access authentication, go to the main e-Services landing page on IRS.gov. You can also read variety of articles on fraud and security on the Intuit® ProConnect™ Tax Pro Center.