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It's Finally Summer, Watch Out for Those "Phish"!

The Internet has become an integral business tool over the last 10 years. It’s rare to find a person who does not have at least one email address. While email has made communication more efficient in some respects, spam (i.e., unsolicited email) can be dangerous to an unsuspecting recipient.

One of the most popular spam techniques occurs when you receive a phony email from what appears to be a legitimate source, such as your bank, the IRS or eBay, requesting you to follow a link and provide valuable personal financial information. This is known as “phishing” (i.e., a “phony” email that “fishes” for information).

Unfortunately, a number of these phony emails claim to be from the IRS and include what seem like valid credentials. However, all taxpayers should be aware that the IRS does not send out unsolicited, tax-related emails or request confidential information such as Social Security numbers, credit card or bank account numbers, or passwords via email. If you receive an email from the IRS do not click on any links and do not answer any questions. The email is quite possibly looking to steal your personal information.

Several current phishing topics pretend to be from the IRS. The following might appear in the subject line of a phony email:

• Economic stimulus payment problems
• Offers for advanced refund checks
• Offers for tax rebates
• Notification of an audit

Please be aware that these scams can also occur over the telephone. Never give your personal information to a caller making an unsolicited call.

The IRS and Blackman Kallick take phishing and identity theft very seriously. Victims of phishing and identity theft can spend years and a great deal of their money cleaning up a mistake that takes only seconds to make.

Please report suspected phishing emails to the IRS by forwarding the email(s) to phishing@irs.gov. The government is investing much time and effort to close down the Web sites that generate these emails. Every email you send them will help their efforts.

If you are unsure whether or not to report an email as phishing, please contact Jennifer Perfect Toyloy at jtoyloy@BlackmanKallick.com or 312-980-3280 or your Blackman Kallick representative.

This publication is part of Blackman Kallick’s marketing of professional services, and is not written tax advice directed at the specific facts and circumstances of any person and/or entity. Contents of this publication are of a general nature, and you should not act on this information without obtaining professional advice from your business advisor that is appropriately tailored to your individual needs and circumstances. This written advice is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used by any taxpayer, for the purpose of avoiding penalties that may be imposed under the Internal Revenue Code.