Phishers trying to reel in taxpayers(fake IRS e-mails promise tax refunds)

CNN: Phishers trying to reel in taxpayers
E-mails urge recipients to access bogus site for tax refund
By Daniel Sieberg
Wednesday, November 30, 2005


(CNN) -- A British Internet-security firm is warning people to not get hooked by an e-mail scam promising tax refunds from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service.

The e-mails, known as a "phishing" scam in technology speak, exploit a loophole allegedly built into the real IRS Web site, according to the firm, but instead of getting money back from the government, those biting on the scam could be giving away the contents of their bank accounts.

The messages, which started earlier this week, say that the recipient has only 12 days to claim a $572 tax refund and that the necessary forms can be accessed on the IRS Web site. It slyly states that refunds are often overlooked for a variety of reasons and encourages people to access the forms immediately.

Phishing scams have been around for years and their success usually hinges on the perceived legitimacy of the e-mails, which often include official logos and language. Typically, they ask for personal information like Social Security or bank account numbers.

Recent media stories have warned people not to be baited into phishing scams that include links within an e-mail message, but this time, the phishers tell the recipients that the link can be cut and pasted into a browser....


http://www.cnn.com/2005/TECH/internet/11/30/phishing.irs/index.html

That takes immense stupidity and/or cojones.

I don't see why anyone would bother. All our info is out there floating around already.

Oh, and find our where your mortgage info is processed. It may surprise you how much of your personal financal data is overseas now due to outsourcing.

With data being zapped around the globe to be worked on in other countries, it might just be easier than phishing to get info.