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Phishing Emails Pose as Health and Tax Info: The New Threat to Your Online Security



Report all unsolicited email claiming to be from the IRS or an IRS-related function to phishing@irs.gov. If you've experienced any monetary losses due to an IRS-related incident, please report it to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) and file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) through their Complaint Assistant to make the information available to investigators.




Phishing Emails Pose as Health and Tax Info | Avast



Scam emails are designed to trick taxpayers into thinking these are official communications from the IRS or others in the tax industry, including tax software companies. These phishing schemes may seek information related to refunds, filing status, confirming personal information, ordering transcripts and verifying PIN information.


Some taxpayers receive emails that appear to be from the Taxpayer Advocacy Panel (TAP) about a tax refund. These emails are a phishing scam, trying to trick victims into providing personal and financial information. Do not respond or click any link. If you receive this scam, forward it to phishing@irs.gov and note that it seems to be a scam phishing for your information.


If you receive a suspicious email that claims to be from us requesting personal information, it may be a phishing email. Phishing emails look legitimate because they often use real logos and phone numbers. Delete it from your inbox and your trash folder.


The web pages currently in English on the FTB website are the official and accurate source for tax information and services we provide. Any differences created in the translation are not binding on the FTB and have no legal effect for compliance or enforcement purposes. If you have any questions related to the information contained in the translation, refer to the English version.


Amazon, for its part, advises consumers to watch for scams by looking for misspelled words in unsolicited emails, requests to update payment information and prompts to install software on their computer.


The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC) is warning Canadians to be very cautious when receiving emails or text messages that appear to be from a financial institution asking for personal or financial information.


Unfortunately, these scams prey on fears about the coronavirus disease, trying to trick service members and family members into revealing sensitive information or donating money to a fraudulent cause. Bogus emails that look legitimate can offer fake alerts or information about the outbreak, fake workplace policy updates or fake medical advice. By clicking on links in these emails, you could download malware or have your identity stolen.


If you receive calls, emails, or other communications claiming to be from the Treasury Department and offering COVID-19 related grants or stimulus payments in exchange for personal financial information, or an advance fee, or charge of any kind, including the purchase of gift cards, please do not respond. These are scams. Please contact the FBI at www.ic3.gov so that the scammers can be tracked and stopped.


If you must keep information for business reasons or to comply with the law, develop a written records retention policy to identify what information must be kept, how to secure it, how long to keep it, and how to dispose of it securely when you no longer need it.


What looks like a sack of trash to you can be a gold mine for an identity thief. Leaving credit card receipts or papers or CDs with personally identifying information in a dumpster facilitates fraud and exposes consumers to the risk of identity theft. By properly disposing of sensitive information, you ensure that it cannot be read or reconstructed.


These fraudsters are after more than just credit card or bank information. The Washington, D.C.-based Coalition Against Insurance Fraud says health care-related scams are by far the most common type of insurance fraud in the United States, with billions lost each year to a variety of false reimbursement and billing schemes. Medicare fraud alone is estimated to cost $60 billion every year.


Content is for general informational purposes only and not intended to be medical advice or a substitute for professional health care. See your physician for medical advice personalized to your situation. 2022 United HealthCare Services, Inc. All Rights Reserved.


Healthcare fraud is a federal crime under most criminal codes, consisting of intentional deceit for the purpose of illicit gains. Healthcare abuse is similar activity or behavior where knowing intent to obtain an unlawful gain cannot be established. Some examples of healthcare fraud and abuse include:


If you suspect, experience or witness healthcare fraud, you should report the information to your local Blue Cross Blue Shield company by calling the number on the back of your member identification card. If you are not a BCBS member you can email us or call the report fraud hotline 1-877-327-BLUE (2583). If you are a federal employee or retiree, you can report potential healthcare fraud by calling 1-800-337-8440.


OCM is aware of phishing scams targeting applicants and licensees. Do not click any links or provide any information if you receive an email requesting personal information and signature on a DocuSign form. The Office has not and does not use DocuSign services. If the Office needs to reach out to you, it will be to the e-mail address on file with your application, using an @ocm.ny.gov e-mail address. If you receive an e-mail which purports to be from the Office, but which does not use that e-mail domain, please forward it to [email protected] for review. For more information on Phishing, please visit its.ny.gov/phishing-awareness


Criminals know that filing taxes can be complicated and that stressed consumers may be more likely to fall for phishing scams in which scammers trick them into giving up their personal and financial information.


Be wary of any deal that sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Never sign documents you do not understand and be wary of investment opportunities that promise extremely high yields. Don't pay in advance for services, only after they have been rendered. Don't pay for a free prize. If a caller tells you the payment is for taxes, they are in violation of federal law. Never give out personal information to any unsolicited emails, text messages, phone calls, or mail inquiries. If you believe a deal may be legitimate, disconnect the phone call and contact the company directly from a verified number. Check the business on the Better Business Bureau. If you are still unsure, contact your local police authority and follow their guidance.


Emails have been sent to multiple recipients, falsely claiming to be from partners and associates at Latham & Watkins. These emails are financial scams or phishing scams and have taken several forms, including:


Cyber criminals try to gain your personal information via numerous deceptive means such as legitimate-looking emails with fake web links, phone numbers, and attachments. This method of email fraud is called phishing.


Avoid opening links or attachments in an email you are not expecting. Phishing emails will often ask you for personal information in an effort to obtain access to your financial assets and identity. Responding with sensitive information (like account numbers, passwords, or Social Security numbers) is never a good idea.


Senior identity fraud can take many forms, and elderly citizens are particularly vulnerable to cybercriminals. This includes tech scammers who call asking for passwords and personal information. Many will say they're from the IRS or Medicare office to gain trust; others even pose as grandchildren who are in trouble and need money. The Federal Trade Commission reports that older consumers who experience fraud typically incur greater financial losses than younger folks. Warning the seniors in your life about these scams can help prevent them from being victimized.


This kind of identity theft happens when someone poses as another person in order to receive medical services. There are many ways your medical data could fall into the wrong hands. The medical/health care sector had the second-highest number of data breaches in 2019, according to the Identity Theft Research Center.


Phishing can also be a targeted attack focused on a specific individual. The attacker often tailors an email to speak directly to you, and includes information only an acquaintance would know. An attacker usually gets this information after gaining access to your personal data. If the email is this type, it is very difficult for even the most cautious of recipients not to become a victim. PhishMe Research determined that ransomware accounts for over 97% of all phishing emails.


Email phishing is the most common type of phishing, and it has been in use since the 1990s. Hackers send these emails to any email addresses they can obtain. The email usually informs you that there has been a compromise to your account and that you need to respond immediately by clicking on a provided link. These attacks are usually easy to spot as language in the email often contains spelling and/or grammatical errors.


Phishing (pronounced 'fishing') is an email scam designed to acquire sensitive information from people. The most successful phishing emails are designed to look like the email comes from a reputable source such as a known person or entity. UC San Diego faculty, staff, and students are often the target of attempts to gain login credentials or personal information through phishing scams that may claim to be coming from UC San Diego, UC San Diego IT Services, or a UC San Diego department. Sometimes the email says that your email account is over quota so you must click a link to reactivate or update your account, or that you must provide your user information to keep your account active. These are fraudulent attempts and should not be replied to or acted upon. 2ff7e9595c


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