IRS Scams Are Here Again

IRS scams happen all year round but heightened during tax season, January through April. These scams are nothing new, they continue to happen every year. Cybercriminals are at it again with a wide range of scams that all impersonate the IRS.

Every year cybercriminals, acting like the IRS, starts with the emails and phone calls around tax season stating “call us immediately!” or ”you owe money”. IRS started back in 2014 posting about phishing attacks, yet many continue to fall for the scams. The IRS doesn't initiate contact with taxpayers by email, text messages or social media channels to request personal or financial information.

From Nerdwallet, here is a list of fear comments they use:

• 'We're calling to tell you your identity was stolen; you need to buy some gift cards to fix it'
• 'This is the Bureau of Tax Enforcement, and we're putting a lien or levy on your assets'
• 'If you don’t call us back, you’ll be arrested'

Theses IRS scams want to put fear in you with intent on stealing personal data or payment details. As stated in KnowBe4 blog (CorpInfoTech is proud partner), here are a couple tips to ensure you’re protected:

1. Pay attention to how they contact you – the IRS doesn’t call, text, email, leave voicemails, or reach out to you via social media. They send you a letter in the mail. That’s it.
2. They don’t ask for payment over the phone – Not credit cards, and most certainly not gift cards!
3. They can’t arrest you, etc. – There is a taxpayer’s bill of rights, an appeal process, etc. Jumping right to arresting you is downright foolishness.

The IRS has written a blog to help you recognize the telltale signs of a scam. Pass this on to employees, friends and family.

Time for Security Awareness Training with your employees. Remember, it’s not a one and done training. CorpInfoTech can help you, we are here to help secure your humans. Reach out today!

CorpInfoTech (Corporate Information Technologies) provides small to mid-market organizations with expert I.T. services including compliance assessment, cybersecurity penetration tests, and comprehensive business continuity planning services. CorpInfoTech can help organizations, quantify, create, refine, and mitigate the risks presented by business threatening disasters in whatever form they may be disguised.