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Aug 30, 2007 -- Bogus IRS e-mail scam circulating again

Last spring just around tax time, Clark started hearing about a lot of people who received an e-mail scam that appeared to be from the IRS. Now the same scam has resurfaced. Here's how it works: You get an e-mail that appears to be from the IRS saying they owe you small refund usually around $139.50. The e-mail is branded with the IRS logo and looks legit. It originates from an address that ends in .us, which most people think is a sign of authenticity. A .us domain name, however, is the same as a .com. The real IRS website is a .gov, since it's a government organization. The bogus e-mail explains that the money will be deposited into your account -- provided that you send your account number and secret access code. If you comply, your account will be cleaned out by cyber criminals. Know that the IRS will never ask you for your banking info in an e-mail. Meanwhile, there's a similar scam circulating that appears to be coming from Coca-Cola. This one isn't legit either, so watch out!

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What others are saying

  • IRS Refund
    I just received this email and its for 733.00. It really looks real! Thanks for the info. above.
  • IRS Email Scam
    Just received an email stating they were the IRS wanting to give me a refund. The email requested I connect to a link and disable my any pop up blockers I had running.
  • email from IRS
    We received an email today from IRS but the amount was much more - $9,300.00
  • IRS Scam
    After the last annual calculations of your fiscal activity we have
    determined that you are eligible to receive a tax refund of $1612,72.
    Please submit the tax refund request and allow us 2-6 days in order to
    process it.

    A refund can be delayed for a variety of reasons.
    For example submitting invalid records or applying after the deadline.

    To access your tax refund, please click here


    Best Regards,
    Tax Refund Deparment
    Internal Revenue Service


    © Copyright 2008, Internal Revenue Service U.S.A. All rights reserved.
  • IRS Scam
    I received the IRS scam a few months ago. At first glance the email gives a link of www.irs.gov but when I look closer look at the Control click info the real link is www.irs.gov.taxpayer.refund.briebrown.com/irs/ Isn't using a link like this illegal? Someone asking for SS# - PINs on Credit Cards or anything personal via email is scary. I wonder even how I got this message.
  • IRS Scam
    Clark,
    I may have believed this if I weren't an avid listener...it looked so real. The email address does with .gov, but why would the IRS need my PIN #? Also the amount was a little higher than those who previously commented, $284.80. The based it on "the last annual calculations of your fiscal activity", whatever that means.

    Didn't fall for it....also there is not opt out.
  • IRS scam
    I got this email - no IRS logo or anything. What was really bizarre was it said "based on my financial activity" I was due the piddling refund. No reference to which year. This year my refund is $400+.
    Besides, my "financial activity" is not my tax return form.
  • IRS E-mil Scam
    Here it is again... I received the scam E-mail about getting my refund on my Credit Card if I'll just send them ALL my personal information. Only this time they're only offering $134.80 (Last year was $139.50). That's nearly $5.00 less than last year. Now that's just insulting!
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