/ Modified apr 10, 2017 3:33 p.m.

Taking the Bait: Scammers Go Phishing During Tax Season

Phishing and impersonation emails look to take advantage of tax document errors.

Taxes, computer

Tax documents sometimes contain errors, and scammers will be there to exploit the fears that arise from such errors.

Earlier this year, the state of Arizona distributed about 580,000 tax documents with incorrect information. An Internal Revenue Service agent said scammers are attempting to take advantage of concern for such errors via email.

They do so by making an email that appears to be from a person's boss with a request for documents that may contain errors.

Other scammers will send a similar email, claiming to be from the IRS.

“What they’re trying to do is get you to fall prey to their scam, and they’re going to keep doing this until we stop falling for it," said IRS special agent Brian Watson. "So if you get an email, delete it. If you have questions about your account, you can contact us directly.”

Watson recommends anyone receiving such communications directly contact the person or agency that supposedly sent the email and ask if they made the request.

By posting comments, you agree to our
AZPM encourages comments, but comments that contain profanity, unrelated information, threats, libel, defamatory statements, obscenities, pornography or that violate the law are not allowed. Comments that promote commercial products or services are not allowed. Comments in violation of this policy will be removed. Continued posting of comments that violate this policy will result in the commenter being banned from the site.

By submitting your comments, you hereby give AZPM the right to post your comments and potentially use them in any other form of media operated by this institution.
AZPM is a service of the University of Arizona and our broadcast stations are licensed to the Arizona Board of Regents who hold the trademarks for Arizona Public Media and AZPM. We respectfully acknowledge the University of Arizona is on the land and territories of Indigenous peoples.
The University of Arizona