{"id":310,"date":"2019-04-06T19:33:18","date_gmt":"2019-04-06T19:33:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.syyhoaxanalyzer.com\/?p=310"},"modified":"-0001-11-30T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"-0001-11-29T17:00:00","slug":"'Problem-Calculating-Your-Return'-IRS-Phishing-Scam","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.syyhoaxanalyzer.com\/?p=310","title":{"rendered":"‘Problem Calculating Your Return’ IRS Phishing Scam"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"Phishing<\/a><\/p>\n

According to this email, which purports to be from the IRS, there has been a problem calculating your tax return and with your filed Social Security Number (SSN). The message claims that the IRS has reviewed your tax information and, because it has ‘verified the possibility of identity theft’, your account has been locked.<\/p>\n

Supposedly, the SSN listed on your return belongs to a deceased \u00a0person. The email advises you to click a link to supply your correct information or risk tax penalties. It includes the IRS logo.<\/p>\n

However, the email is certainly not from the IRS. In fact, it is a phishing scam designed to trick \u00a0you into divulging your personal and financial information to cybercriminals.<\/p>\n

If you click the link, you will be taken to a fraudulent website hosted in eastern Europe. Forms on \u00a0the \u00a0fake website ask \u00a0you to supply your SSN, as well as \u00a0your name and contact details and other identifying information. The forms also ask you to supply credit card and banking details, ostensibly to allow your refund to be payed to you.<\/p>\n

If you fall for the ruse and submit the requested information, the criminals may then be able to steal your identity and commit financial fraud in your name. \u00a0The IRS warns \u00a0people about these phishing scams<\/a> on its website, noting:<\/p>\n

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The IRS doesn’t initiate<\/strong> contact with taxpayers by email, text messages or social media channels to request personal or financial information. This includes requests for PIN numbers, passwords or similar access information for credit cards, banks or other financial accounts.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Tax refund related scams<\/a> are very common and target taxpayers in a number of countries. The following Hoax-Slayer YouTube video provides more information about such scams.<\/p>\n