Faking e-mails from the IRS is a popular "phish." This recent one uses a tax refund as the hook.
The first clue that this is a "phish" is that the IRS never uses e-mail to initiate contact with taxpayers.
Other clues that indicate this message is a "phish:"
Typos such as the amount (in red), which has comma instead of a decimal point.
The attachment (in blue) is a web page.
The stilted wording of the sentence, "Please view the message from the attachment file."
The emphasis in the last sentence on preventing fraudulent activity and further information theft.
To avoid phishing scams remember:
Reputable companies, financial institutions, and government agencies NEVER send e-mails, make phone calls or send letters asking for personal information and account information they already have on file.
Never call the phone number in an e-mail message.
Never click on links in these sorts of e-mails.
Breaking news analysis prepared for Corning CU by Remar Sutton & Associates, May 2008.
