March 31, 2007

Identity Theft - IRS Warns Public about Email Scams

Tip! Being denied credit � Sadly, some people don’t discover they have been identity theft victims until they go to buy a car, get a second mortgage, or open a new credit card. If you thought you had good credit but are getting denied, then it’s a good time to check your credit reports, even if you’ve already done your yearly check.

The IRS has been the subject of an email scam campaign. They are informing the public to be on the lookout for email indicating they are coming from the Agency. Since the IRS does not send unsolicited emails asking for your personal information, you must assume these emails are written to trick you into giving out financial and personal information you should not be disclosing to the public.

The IRS has noticed an increase in the number of scams. Since November 99 scams have been identified. During the tax filing season, forty were identified. In June an additional twenty surfaced. Many are originating outside of the United States. Some of the countries are Argentina, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Canada, Chile, China, England, Japan, Italy, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, Poland, Singapore and Slovakia. Some have come from the United States.

The IRS will not send you an email requesting personal information of any kind. They won’t try to trick you into disclosing bank account numbers, pin numbers, or credit card information. Since this information can be used for identity theft, you must be aware of everything you do on and offline.

If you give out your personal information, it can then be used to steal your identity and perhaps your financial assets. The IRS has established an email box for you to send suspicious email you receive which appears to have come from the IRS. The email address is : phising@irs.gov. The IRS will investigate your email to determine if it fits into the scam category.

Tip! Having some types of spyware on your computer � While not all spyware leads to identity theft, you need to realize that it can pose a serious threat to your privacy. Your passwords, credit card information, and online activities could have been monitored by unknown third parties, which leave you vulnerable to an attack.

If you experience Identity Theft, the Federal Trade Commission has a consumer web site at http://www.consumer.gov/idtheft/index.html As in all aspects of life, do your due diligence before providing personal information to anyone you do not know.

Nan is an Accountant and Real Estate Professional with an information and research site online IdentityTheft and a Business
Writer with a blog WhoKnew

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