As people prepare to file their taxes, scammers are preparing to dupe them out of their returns.
The Better Business Bureau warns about two scams:
1. Small business owners and individuals need to beware of suspicious lookalike emails that mimic the tax preparation software business Intuit. The messages urge recipients to click on a link and update their Social Security Number or Employer ID Number in Intuit’s online system.
Don’t do it. The email is a phishing scam and the link leads to a third-party website that downloads a virus to the users’ computers.
The emails appear to be from “update@intuit.com” or “security@intuit.com” addresses. The messages use a variety of subject lines including: “Please verify your tax information ASAP,” “Correct tax information is needed,” or “Tax information needed within 30 Days.”
If you receive this email, forward it to spoof@intuit.com, and delete the email.
2. An email targeting businesses comes from IRS Tax Notification Department. This spoof email pretends to be from the IRS and claims the recipient will have to pay penalties if they do not click through and provide a reason for missing the January 31 deadline.
Again, don’t do it. Do not click through, file anything or fill out any papers.
Strike the delete key.
If you miss a filing deadline, the IRS will notify your business through the postal service.
