PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release on September 13, 2007

Contact: William J. Smith (718) 556-7150
William.Smith@rcda.nyc.gov

District Attorney Warns Islanders to Beware of Identity Theft from Phony IRS “Customer Satisfaction” Survey
*** Numerous Islanders Have Reported Receiving Fake E-mail Promising Cash for Participation in Survey***

STATEN ISLAND, NY – Richmond County District Attorney Daniel M. Donovan, Jr. today issued a warning to Staten Islanders regarding an internet scam geared towards stealing victims’ credit card information of other personal data by promising a reward of $80 cash following participation in a United States Internal Revenue Service (IRS) “Customer Satisfaction Survey.”

“In recent weeks a number of individuals have called my office to inquire after they received official looking e-mails from an address that appeared to belong to the IRS,” stated District Attorney Donovan, “My office contacted the IRS and determined that this is yet another scam for people to be wary of in their e-mail. The IRS has advised us that they will never initiate contact with you via e-mail.”

In this case, the e-mail notifies the recipient that he or she has been randomly selected to participate in a survey measuring customer satisfaction with the IRS’s tax processing. In return, the IRS will credit $80 to the taxpayer’s account. There are references to the IRS throughout the e-mail. The link to the survey and a copyright statement at the bottom of the e-mail also reference the IRS. The survey form features the IRS logo. Previously the IRS has been used as cover for those who sought to steal information by promising an additional “tax refund” to the potential victim once they supply bank information for the phony refund to be transferred to.

District Attorney Donovan added, “This is the latest example of the criminal practice of “phishing” where scam artists attempt to fraudulently acquire sensitive information, such as usernames, passwords and credit card details, by masquerading as a trustworthy entity in an e-mail or instant message. Anyone who is unfortunate enough to fall for one of these scams can face identity theft, which can cause financial hardship and ruin your credit. If you have any doubt regarding the legitimacy of an e-mail you receive, you should immediately contact the company or government agency whose name is being referenced.”

Anyone who receives the bogus e-mails should immediately forward them to phishing@irs.gov so the IRS may appropriately investigate the sender.

Example of Latest IRS Phishing Scam

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