The IRS have never been popular.

No-one really likes to pay taxes, even though they pay for many things we’ve come  to take for granted, and I’ve yet to meet anyone who wakes up in the morning thinking, “Great – today I get to give some of my money to the IRS”.

Have you?

However, the popularity of the IRS is about to get worse.

It appears the internet criminals have been hard at work again and sending out scam e-mail viruses in their name.

Apparently  you receive a message with  a subject  line, which typically reads something like, “Notice of Underreported Income”. The unsuspecting victim is encouraged to install the Trojan attachment, or click on a link to view their “supposed” tax statement.

However, if they  do that,they’re taken to a malicious  website where malware can be pushed on the computer. This then hacks into bank accounts and drains them of their hard earned money.

It’s a widespread financial fraud scheme.

Sneaky, eh?

Everyone needs to be aware, the IRS will NEVER contact anyone through e-mail about their taxes.

Obviously, the old rules apply:-

Don’t download attachments in e-mails you were not expecting to receive and delete the e-mail immediately.

Don’t click on links or visit websites in e-mails from people you don’t know. If the e-mail is from an organisation, find a phone number and contact them over the phone, not through the web.

Keep your computer software up to date.

Stay safe.

Jean Shaw