Warning about phising email scam

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has recently issued a warning about an ongoing phishing email scam. The scam specifically targets individuals who have “.edu” email addresses, primarily those associated with educational institutions such as students and staff members. The [email protected] email address has received several complaints from individuals with email addresses ending in “.edu.”

The fraudulent emails appear to be impersonating the IRS and display the agency’s official logo. The subject lines of the emails vary but typically include titles such as “Tax Refund Payment” or “Recalculation of your tax refund payment.” The email instructs the recipient to click on a link to submit a form to claim their refund.

However, the link in the email leads to a phishing website that requests the recipient to provide personal information, including their social security number, first name, last name, date of birth, prior year annual gross income (AGI), driver’s license number, current address, city, state/U.S. territory, ZIP code/postal code, and electronic filing PIN.

Additionally, scammers may use similar tactics, such as claiming to verify your “.edu” email account. Therefore, it’s crucial to remain vigilant and cautious when providing personal information online, especially if the request seems suspicious or unexpected.

It’s important to note that the schools/educational centers will never ask for personal information via email, text message, or social media. If you receive an email like this, do not click on any links or provide any personal information. Instead, forward the email to [email protected] and then delete it from your inbox.