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Tuesday, July 25, 2006

A very expensive $63.80 tax refund

So I get to work yesterday, and here's an e-mail waiting for me. The address led me to think it was from the IRS. At least until I read the thing. Here is the text:

After the last annual calculations of your fiscal activity we have determined that you are eligible to receive a tax refund of $63.80. Please submit the tax refund request and allow us 6-9 days in order to process it.
A refund can be delayed for a variety of reasons. For example submitting invalid records or applying after the deadline.
To access the form for your tax refund, please (I have removed the link)
Regards, Internal Revenue Service
© Copyright 2006, Internal Revenue Service U.S.A. All rights reserved..

This has to be a scam, so I click on the link and sure enough, they ask for some information so they can credit the refund my credit card account. All I have to do is supply the "IRS" with my credit card account number and other personal information.

A contact I have with the IRS says he has received at least 20 calls from reporters in Ohio and West Virginia about this phishing expedition.

By the way, I went back to the link today and it was gone.