"Taxpayers to be on the lookout for a new wave of scams using the IRS name in identity theft e-mails, or phishing, that have circulated during the last two months. In May and June alone, taxpayers reported almost 700 separate phishing incidents to the IRS. In 2008 so far, taxpayers have reported about 1,600 phishing incidents to the IRS."
“Taxpayers should take steps to keep their personal information out of the hands of identity thieves,” said IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman. “That includes not falling for any of the phony e-mails or faxes now in circulation pretending to come from the IRS.”
How will this affect you? It is a matter of being vigilant and cautious on what information you are conforming to. You do not need to volunteer your personal information to anyone whom you do not know and aware of the transactions that is happening. Implement a validation process before you answer and provide anything.
Suggestion: Request the caller's name, company and telephone number as you will need to return the call as you are in the middle of something. Once you got the information, call back the number and speak with the person whose name was provided. You will be able to validate the caller's info and number whether it is real or not. Of course, you will need to do your best judgement and do your diligence.
Other alternative options are available at the IRS Website. To read the details about the latest IRS Memo - IR-2008-088, please click on the link Scammers Use e-Mail, Fax to Pose as IRS
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