Beware of Phishing Emails Pretending to be from Tax Software Companies

March 12, 2012 by Karen Reed, EA

Phishing Hook

There’s a new wave of “phishing” scams involving phony emails from tax software companies such as TurboTax. Beware of emails prompting you to confirm your invoice or an order for tax software. Even if you are a customer of the software provider, do not respond, do not click any links, do not download files, and do not provide personal financial information via an email.

The newest scam involves emails that purport to confirm or thank recipients for purchasing software and include links to download an invoice, complete order information, and reorder checks. Clicking the links could result in a virus transferring to your computer, or you could be taken to a phony website prompting you to provide personal financial information.

Phishing scammers are known for using the information they receive from unsuspecting taxpayers to empty bank accounts, run up credit card charges, and apply for loans, services and other benefits in the scammed individual’s name. Often, the perpetrators perform these activities from locations overseas.

If you receive an email message that you suspect is a phishing email, forward it to the software company’s security center right away. The email address for TurboTax is spoof@intuit.com.

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Karen Reed, EA

Karen Reed, EA

During her years as an audit representative for TaxAudit, Karen successfully defended the company’s members throughout the entire federal and state audit processes, handled cases assigned to US Tax Court, and developed procedures to make the audit process easier for taxpayers. Karen attributes a great deal of her tax acumen to the six tax seasons she spent as a return reviewer, analyzing thousands of returns. Responding in writing to questions from taxpayers, she became familiar with the common mistakes self-preparers make. Karen was previously the manager of the Tax Education and Research Department and the Director of Communications at TaxAudit. Her tax advice has been featured in U.S. News and World Report, the Los Angeles Times, the Chicago Tribune, and other publications.

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