Ask The California Employment Tax And Payroll Tax Attorney – Phishing Scams On The Rise – IRS Alarmed

By Robert S. Schriebman

2022

Introduction

On September 28, 2022, the IRS published IR-2022-167.  The IRS is very concerned about the significant increase in phishing scams.  In 2022, the IRS has identified and reported thousands of fraudulent domains tied to multiple MMS/SMS text scams (known as smishing).  The IRS has noted that since the summer these incidents have dramatically increased, and the IRS is alarmed.

In the latest activity, these scam texts ask taxpayers to click a link where phishing websites will try to collect their personal information or send a malicious code into their phones.  Please understand that the IRS does not communicate with taxpayers through emails or texts.

These crooks are using algorithms to automatically generate hundreds or even thousands of fraudulent domains.  The IRS pointed out an example of a recent campaign that used just three dozen stolen or bogus email addresses to create over one thousand fraudulent domains.

The IRS wants you to report any incident to [email protected]. This will allow the IRS to track and disrupt these scams. Here is what the IRS wants you to do if you are on the receiving end of a scam:

1. Create a new email to [email protected]. Include the following in your email:
2. Copy and paste the caller ID number (or email address) into the email to the IRS.
3. Press and hold the SMS/text message and select copy. Paste the message into the email to the IRS.
4. If possible, include the exact date, time, time zone and telephone number that received the message.

In addition to reporting the scam to [email protected], the IRS wants you to report the incident to the Treasury Inspector General using their IRS Impersonation Scam Reporting Form.

Conclusion

We are all constantly assaulted, through our cell phones and computers with junk and dangerous communications.  Some communications look totally righteous and use the logos and trademarks of legitimate organizations, businesses, and government entities.  The best advice I can give you is to use your electronic devices in the same manner as driving defensively.  Go with your gut.  Before opening any electronic message or link, first ask yourself, “Why are these people contacting me?”  If you do not have a good answer don’t open the communication, no matter how legitimate it appears on the surface.

Let me again remind you, that the IRS never uses emails or texts.  The IRS uses the mail primarily and in rare occasion, the phone.  If they show up at your door, they will present two forms of identification.

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Robert Schriebman has a successful practice in the Rolling Hills Estates area of Los Angeles County serving clients throughout California and the United States. He has successfully dedicated more than 50 years to helping individual taxpayers, business owners, CPAs, Enrolled Agents, and tax attorneys navigate the complicated tax systems of the federal and state governments.  Mr. Schriebman is in private practice.  He is not affiliated in any way with the EDD, and he is not employed by the EDD or any other agency of the State of California.

Robert Schriebman has written the only 2 books ever published dealing with how California Employment Development Department (EDD) operates. See “California Tax Collection Practice and Procedures” and “California Taxation Practice and Procedure,” both published by Commerce Clearing House.

Robert Schriebman has written over 20 books including the major manual used nationally by practitioners and the IRS, “IRS Tax Collection Procedures – A Manual for Practitioners” published by Commerce Clearing House.

Robert Schriebman has written over 20 books including the major manual used nationally by practitioners and the IRS, “IRS Tax Collection Procedures – A Manual for Practitioners” published by Commerce Clearing House in addition to the only 2 books ever published dealing with how California Employment Development Department (EDD) operates. See “California Tax Collection Practice and Procedures” and “California Taxation Practice and Procedure,” both published by Commerce Clearing House.

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