I got a very authentic looking email from flossie_elder@irs.gov saying that my recent EFTIPS payment out of my checking account has been reversed by the department for reasons detailed in the attached pdf. I did not open the pdf because I have never made an EFTIPS payment out of my checking account. I wonder if anyone else has gotten similar email or if anyone knows of an address to which I can forward the email for some pretense that it will be investigated?
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From http://www.irs.gov/privacy/article/0,,id=179820,00.html
All unsolicited email claiming to be from either the IRS or any other IRS-related components such as the Office of Professional Responsibility or EFTPS, should be reported to phishing@irs.gov. -
A client got one also
From: Clifford_Pickett@irs.gov
To:
Sent: 11/16/2011 1:44:25 A.M. Pacific Standard Time
Subj: Federal Tax transfer returned
Your federal Tax transaction (ID: 673589893103), recently initiated from your checking account was canceled by the The Electronic Federal Tax Payment System.
Rejected Tax transfer
Tax Transaction ID: 673589893103
Rejection Reason See details in the report below
Tax Transaction Report tax_report_673589893103.pdf (Adobe Acrobat Reader Document)
No need to file a Form SS-4. We ask you the questions and you give us the answers. After all validations are done you will get your EIN immediately upon completion. You can then download, save, and print your EIN confirmation notice.
This EIN is your permanent number and can be used immediately for most of your business needs, including opening a bank account, applying for business licenses, and filing a tax return by mail. However, no matter how you apply (phone, fax, mail, or online), it will take up to two weeks before your EIN becomes part of the IRS' permanent records. You must wait until this occurs before you can file an electronic return, make an electronic payment, or pass an IRS Taxpayer Identification Number matching program.
Due to a high volume of requests for EINs, the IRS will begin limiting the number of EINs assigned per day to a responsible party. Effective April 11, 2011, a responsible party will be limited to five (5) EI Ns in one business day. This limit is in effect whether you apply online, by phone, fax or mail.
Internal Revenue Service, Metro Plex 1, 8401 Corporate Drive, Suite 300, Landover, MD 20785Comment
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It's a phish!
This phishing scam, or something similar, has been around for years.
At the bottom of the page on the web link below is information for reporting the attempt, should you wish to do so.
This is from the actual EFTPS site info:
EXCERPT:
The IRS recently became aware of a fraudulent scheme targeting EFTPS users, the scheme uses an e-mail that claims your tax payment was rejected and directs you to a website for additional information. The website contains malware that will attempt to infect your computer.
If you receive a message claiming to be from the IRS or EFTPS, please:
Do not reply to the sender, access links on the site or submit any information to them.
Forward the message as-is immediately to us at phishing@irs.gov.
How to report and identify phishing, e-mail scams and bogus IRS websites.
If you receive a suspicious e-mail or discover a website posing as the IRS, please forward the e-mail or URL information to the IRS at phishing@irs.gov.
EFTPS is a tax payment system provided free by the U.S. Department of Treasury. Pay federal taxes electronically via the Internet or phone 24/7. Visit EFTPS to enroll.
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Remember
The IRS does not initiate taxpayer communications through e-mail.
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I had a friend who called me a few weeks back about a similar email he had received. I told him to delete it and not worry about it. (Didn't want to tell him to forward it to IRS because I was afraid he might not get it right)
He called me because his accountant hadn't returned his phone calls (notice I used the plural), and he was worried about his EFTPS payments and a possibile penalty. Perfectly reasonable concerns, IMO.
That accountant is going to lose a client if he doesn't get better at triage."The only function of economic forecasting is to make astrology look respectful" - John Kenneth GalbraithComment
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Me Too
I get them all the time. My spam filter catches them. Sometimes pretending to be from the IRS and sometimes from an ACH official.Comment
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I sent an email to my clients that use EFTPS to warn them. I only have a few that use the system.
I hope I don't scare them to death.
Linda, EAComment
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