WASHINGTON – The Internal Revenue Service today warned people to avoid a
new phishing scheme that impersonates the IRS and the FBI as part of a
ransomware scam to take computer data hostage.
The scam email uses the emblems of both the IRS and the Federal Bureau
of Investigation. It tries to entice users to select a “here” link to
download a fake FBI questionnaire. Instead, the link downloads a certain
type of malware called ransomware that prevents users from accessing
data stored on their device unless they pay money to the scammers.
“This is a new twist on an old scheme,” said IRS Commissioner John
Koskinen. “People should stay vigilant against email scams that try to
impersonate the IRS and other agencies that try to lure you into
clicking a link or opening an attachment. People with a tax issue won’t
get their first contact from the IRS with a threatening email or phone
call."
The IRS, state tax agencies and tax industries – working
in partnership as the Security Summit – currently are conducting an
awareness campaign called Don’t Take the Bait, that includes warning tax
professionals about the various types of phishing scams, including
ransomware. The IRS highlighted this issue in an Aug. 1 news release
IR-2017-125 Don’t Take the Bait, Step 4: Defend against Ransomware.
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.
The IRS does not use email, text messages or social media to discuss
personal tax issues, such as those involving bills or refunds. For more
information, visit the “Tax Scams and Consumer Alerts” page on IRS.gov. Additional information about tax scams is available on IRS social media sites, including YouTube videos.