WASHINGTON D.C., DC — The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) wants taxpayers to be on alert for a scam circulating through the mail.
According to the IRS, the scam involves an envelope with a letter stating it is in regard to an unclaimed refund. The letter asks for personal information, including "pictures of driver's licenses," along with a fake IRS phone number.
“This is just the latest in the long string of attempts by identity thieves posing as the IRS in hopes of tricking people into providing valuable personal information to steal identities and money, including tax refunds,” IRS commissioner Danny Werfel said. “These scams can come in through email, text or even in special mailings. People should be careful to watch out for red flags that clearly mark these as IRS scams.”
The IRS said this scam is unique because it asks the taxpayer to provide "detailed personal information in hopes of stealing valuable information." If you receive this scam letter claiming to be from the IRS, there is an "awkwardly worded requests" like this:
"A Clear Phone of Your Driver’s License That Clearly Displays All Four (4) Angles, Taken in a Place with Good Lighting."
This scam also asks for a cellphone number, bank routing information, Social Security number and bank account type. The IRS said the request is worded like this:
"(You’ll Need to Get This to Get Your Refunds After Filing. These Must Be Given to a Filing Agent Who Will Help You Submit Your Unclaimed Property Claim. Once You Send All The Information Please Try to Be Checking Your Email for Response From The Agents Thanks."
The IRS also pointed out that the letter says "the deadline for filing tax refunds is Oct. 17." The deadline for people on extension for their 2022 tax returns is actually Oct. 16.
In regards to a bill or tax refund, the IRS said it will never contact a taxpayer by email, text or social media.
Individuals who feel they are being scammed can report it by sending the email or a copy of the text as an attachment to phishing@irs.gov. The caller ID, email or phone number, date, time and time zone and the number that received the message should be included in the email.
You can also report the scam to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration or the Internet Crime Complaint Center.