IRS Warns Taxpayers of New Refund Scam: Beware of Deceptive Mailing and Phishing Attempts

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has issued a warning to taxpayers regarding a new scam that aims to deceive people into believing they are owed a refund. The scheme involves a mailing sent in a cardboard envelope, bearing the IRS masthead and claiming to be related to an unclaimed refund. However, the contact information provided, including a phone number, does not belong to the IRS. The scam attempts to gather sensitive personal information from recipients, such as detailed pictures of driver’s licenses, which can be used by identity thieves to obtain tax refunds and other financial information.

IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel emphasized that this scam is part of a larger pattern of identity thieves impersonating the IRS to deceive individuals into providing valuable personal information for the purpose of identity and monetary theft. The IRS advises people to be vigilant for warning signs that clearly mark these communications as scams, as they can arrive through email, text, or even special mailings.

One notable aspect of this particular scam is its attempt to trick recipients into emailing or phoning detailed personal information. The fraudulent letter requests various details, including a clear picture of the recipient’s driver’s license from all angles, taken in good lighting. The letter also asks for information such as cellphone number, bank routing details, Social Security number, and bank account type.

The letter contains several red flags, including irregular punctuation, mixed fonts, and inaccuracies. For instance, it wrongly states that the deadline for filing tax refunds is October 17, while the actual deadline for individuals on extension for their 2022 tax returns is October 16. Furthermore, the IRS does not handle “unclaimed property” but is responsible for tax refunds.

The IRS and its partners in the Security Summit regularly caution taxpayers about common scams and urge them to remain alert to fake communications masquerading as legitimate tax and financial organizations. The IRS never initiates contact with taxpayers via email, text, or social media regarding bills or tax refunds. Individuals should never click on unsolicited communications claiming to be from the IRS, as they may contain malware or ransomware. Suspicious messages should be reported to phishing@irs.gov, including relevant details such as caller ID, date, time, and the number that received the message.

Taxpayers can also report scams to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration or the Internet Crime Complaint Center. It is crucial to verify the identity of senders who appear to be friends or family by using another communication method, such as an independently known accurate phone number, to guard against compromised accounts and potential scams.