New phishing scam warning from the IRS

August 29th, 2017

Security Alert from The Fulcrum GroupHeads up from the United States Internal Revenue Service.  Yesterday, the IRS posted a warning detailing a new phishing scam that solicits the reader to download an FBI questionnaire. Clicking the link will cause your computer will be infected with ransomware instead. The scam email uses the emblems of both the IRS and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

 

Remember that the IRS does not use email, text messages or social media to discuss personal tax issues, such as those involving bills or refunds. As always, THINK BEFORE YOU CLICK!

 

The IRS has also stated: "Victims should not pay a ransom. Paying it further encourages the criminals, and frequently the scammers won’t provide the decryption key even after a ransom is paid. Victims should immediately report any ransomware attempt or attack to the FBI at the Internet Crime Complaint Center, www.IC3.gov. Forward any IRS-themed scams to phishing@irs.gov."

Here is the official IRS Newsroom post:
https://www.irs.gov/uac/newsroom/irs-issues-urgent-warning-to-beware-irs-fbi-themed-ransomware-scam

 

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