The Latest Scam: "The IRS Will Pay You
$80 to Respond to This Survey"

Sound good? For cash and the opportunity to tell the IRS what you really think, many people would give up a few minutes of their time. That's why the IRS recently issued a consumer alert regarding a new two-step e-mail scam that falsely promises $80 in exchange for participation in an online consumer satisfaction survey.

In the scam, the IRS warns, an unsuspecting taxpayer receives an unsolicited e-mail that appears to come from the tax agency. The e-mail contains a URL linking to an online "Member Satisfaction Survey."

"We have seen many e-mail scams using the IRS name," IRS Deputy Commissioner for Operations Support Linda Stiff said. "The IRS does not initiate contact with taxpayers through e-mail. Taxpayers should always use caution when they receive unsolicited e-mails."

In this case, the e-mail notifies the recipient that he or she has been randomly selected to participate in a survey. In return, the IRS will credit $80 to the taxpayer's account. There are references to the IRS in the "from" line and the "subject" line of the e-mail. The link to the survey and a copyright statement at the bottom of the e-mail also reference the IRS and the survey form features the IRS logo.

In addition to standard customer satisfaction survey questions, the survey requests the name and phone number of the participant and also asks for credit card information. Once the fraudsters have a name and phone number, they will presumably call the participant and attempt to retrieve other financial information.

The apparent objectives of this scam are to use the participant's name and financial data to withdraw funds from a bank account, run up charges on a credit card or take out loans in the taxpayer's name.

Tricking victims into revealing private personal and financial information over the Internet, telephone or through other means is a practice known as "phishing."

Here Are Two More IRS-Related Internet Scams Announced Earlier by the IRS

1. Beware of an Online Notice of Refund. The IRS warned the public of another phishing scheme

Phishing: A Definition    Phishing is a form of Internet fraud in which people are tricked into giving personal and financial information. Commonly, it involves sending e-mail messages that claim to be from established enterprises. The e-mails generally ask recipients to reply quickly with confidential information for a legitimate-sounding reason (for example, the company is updating its records). Just like a fishing expedition, phishers throw out a lure and see who will take the bait.    If recipients surrender confidential information, identity thieves can use it for fraudulent purposes such as stealing from financial accounts, running up credit card charges, and applying for loans.

that uses its name to steal personal information. Fraudsters send out official looking e-mails, complete with an IRS logo. The messages inform recipients that they are entitled to refunds if they fill out special forms. The messages provide a link, which, if followed, asks unwary consumers to enter personal data such as Social Security numbers and credit card information. Once the phisher collects the information, it may be used to steal the consumers' identities and assets.

The tax agency issued a press release warning consumers not to fall prey to such scams because:

• "The IRS does not ask for personal identifying or financial information via unsolicited e-mail.
• Taxpayers do not have to complete a special form to obtain a refund."

You can also contact our office if you receive an IRS notice and are not sure what to do.

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