Identity thieves preying on Islanders with IRS scam

by Staten Island Advance
Thursday September 13, 2007, 10:46 AM

 

Staten Island District Attorney Daniel Donovan is warning Staten Islanders of an Internet scam aimed at stealing victims' credit card and other personal information by promising a reward of $80 for participation in a fictitious United States Internal Revenue Service "Customer Satisfaction Survey."

"In recent weeks, a number of individuals have called my office to inquire after they received official-looking e-mails from an address that appeared to belong to the IRS," Donovan said.

"My office contacted the IRS and determined that this is yet another scam for people to be wary of in their e-mail. The IRS has advised us that they will never initiate contact with you via e-mail."

This particular scam lures unsuspecting people in by dangling $80 in front of them upon completion of the survey.

The catch is the person filling out the survey must include pertinent credit card or bank account information for the cash to be direct deposited into the account.

The e-mail is littered with IRS references and the link to the survey and all of the information on the page has a phony copyright statement at the bottom.

Anyone who receives the survey scam message should immediately forward it to phishing@irs.gov so the IRS can investigate the sender.

"Anyone who is unfortunate enough to fall for one of these scams can face identity theft, which can cause financial hardship and ruin your credit," Donovan warned.

"If you have any doubt regarding the legitimacy of an e-mail you receive, you should immediately contact the company of government agency whose name is being referenced."