Other LanguagesIf you receive an e-mail from the IRS suggesting your tax refund has been delayed, don’t click on the reply link. It’s a phishing scam. The latest email to hit my own inbox at the Attorney General’s Office was sent from “service@irs.qu.gov” and reads as follows:
After the last annual calculations of your fiscal
activity we have determined that you are eligible
to receive a tax refund of $184.80.
Please submit the tax refund request and allow us
6-9 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 the frm [sic] for your tax refund, use the following personalized link:
The link takes victims to a phony Web site that looks like it's an IRS form. The site asks for a credit card number, Social Security number, birth date and other personal information that an identity thief could use to rob you and damage your credit history.
The real IRS Web site has a warning about this scam and similar variations.You can forward phishing scam e-mails to the IRS at phishing@irs.gov. Remember, government agencies never ask for personal information via e-mail.