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Protect Yourself from Phishing Scams -
Internet Criminals Even Pose as IRS
Phishing is a technique used by identity thieves to acquire personal financial
data in order to gain access to the financial accounts of unsuspecting
consumers, run up charges on their credit cards or apply for loans in their
names. These Internet-based criminals pose as representatives of a
financial institution - or sometimes the IRS itself - and send out fictitious e-mail
correspondence in an attempt to trick consumers into disclosing private information. A typical e-mail notifies a taxpayer of an outstanding refund and
urges the taxpayer to click on a hyperlink to visit an official-looking Web site. The Web site then solicits a social security and credit
card number. It is important to know the IRS does not use e-mail to initiate contact with taxpayers about issues related to their
accounts. If a taxpayer has any doubt whether a contact from the IRS is authentic, the taxpayer should call 1-800-829-1040 to
confirm it.
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