Tax season has arrived along with scams aiming to steal your identity.
The latest scam targets Electronic Filing Identification Numbers or EFINs, the IRS warned.
Tax professionals and their clients are particularly at risk, the IRS said. By stealing client data and tax preparers’ identities, the scammers can file fraudulent tax returns for refunds, the IRS said.
Phishing scams are the tool of choice, IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig said in a statement, referring to schemes where scammers send seemingly authentic email from banks and other trusted entities like the IRS to dupe victims into handing over sensitive data.
“Tax professionals must remain vigilant. The scammers are very active and very creative,” Rettig said.
Phishing scams are the tool of choice, IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig said. (REUTERS/Aaron P. Bernstein)
TAX SEASON TIPS: WHEN WILL YOUR REFUND ARRIVE?
The scam email says it is from “IRS Tax E-Filing” and carries the subject line “Verifying your EFIN before e-filing,” the IRS said.
The body of the bogus email states in part:
“In order to help protect both you and your clients from unauthorized/fraudulent activities, the IRS requires that you verify all authorized e-file originators prior to transmitting returns through our system. That means we need your EFIN (e-file identification number) verification and Driver’s license before you e-file.
“If your EFIN is not verified by our system, your ability to e-file will be disabled until you provide…
