Wednesday, October 12, 2016

IRS form CP2000 scam and Hurricane Matthew scams

If you receive an email with an IRS CP 2000 form and a claim that the income reported on your tax return does not match the income reported by your employer, it is a scam. The message may also indicate that your issue is related to the Affordable Care Act. 

Of course, the IRS will never initiate contact with you to collect overdue taxes by email, text message or phone call. If you receive such a text or email, don’t respond. If they call, hang up. If you receive a CP 2000 form in the U.S. mail and you question whether it’s legit, call the IRS at 1-800-366-4484.

Also, watch out for scam and malware messages related to the hurricane. One bogus email that is being distributed now claims that you can click a link to find out about power outages in your area. Other Hurricane Matthew related malware messages may be distributed in the coming days and weeks, including requests for donations. Emails or social media posts may offer links to read news reports about the hurricane. Even if these messages appear to come from CNN or another news outlet, don’t trust them. Stay alert!