Hotmail users targeted by IRS email scam

The Internal Revenue Service warned Hotmail users are being targeted by a phishing email scam designed to steal personal and financial information.

The email subject line reads “Internal Revenue Service Email No. XXXX | We’re processing your request soon | TXXXXXX-XXXXXXXX.” Taxpayers are then led to a fake Microsoft page and asked for personal and financial information.

The IRS has received more than 900 complaints from Hotmail users who have received the email. Suspected websites associated with the scam have been shut down but the IRS cautions taxpayers should not discount similar schemes.

The IRS generally does not request personal or financial information from taxpayers via email. Those who receive the scam email are asked to forward them to phishing@irs.gov and then delete them. For more information, go to the “Tax Scams and Consumer Alert” page on IRS.gov.

The IRS is also asking tax professionals who have had data breaches to contact them through their Stakeholder Liaison. For more information, go to the “Data Theft for Professionals” on IRS.gov.