Certified Public Acountant Anthony D'alessio was alerted to an email that claims to be from the Internal Revenue Service demanding an immediate payment and he got advice from an ID-theft expert in order to warn his own clients.
Expert Adam Levin says, at first glance, it might look legitimate.
"This notice is just a further indication of how sophisticated and creative that scammers and identity thieves have become," says Adam Levin
Consumer Reports' Nikhil Hutheesing says this latest scheme targets people with insurance through the Affordable Care Act, alleging they owe additional money for their coverage. But a closer look reveals several red flags. The first is the email itself.
"The IRS will never send you an email out of the blue," Hutheesing said. "You should know that if money is owed the notice will be sent by regular mail."
Another red flag, the fake notice instructs that the check, in this case for $325, be made out to IRS.
"Tax checks are made out to the United States Treasury, not the IRS," Hutheesing said.
And, where you send the check is also probably phony. The IRS says the address on this one in Austin, Texas, is not an official processing center.
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"If you get this type of fake IRS email do not open any attachments or click on any links it may have," he said. "Immediately forward it to phishing@irs.gov and then delete it."
To get rid of it permanently, Levin says, also delete the email from your trash.
ID theft experts say there may be some instances of IRS scam letters being delivered by regular mail. if you're skeptical...You can call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040.
