March 26, 2014
We have learned of a new phishing scam in which taxpayers receive emails purporting to be from the
Taxpayer Advocate Service (and bearing our logo). The email contains a bogus case number and says:
"Your reported 2013 income is flagged for review due to a document processing error. Your case has been
forwarded to the Taxpayer Advocate Service for resolution assistance. To avoid delays processing your
2013 filing contact the Taxpayer Advocate Service for resolution assistance."
The email contains a link where the recipient can find contact information for the "advocate" assigned
to their case that solicits personal information such as the recipient's legal name and contact
information. There's also a link to review "your reported income" that again solicits this kind of
personal information.
DO NOT click on the link.
Forward the email to the IRS's designated address for such e-mails: phishing@irs.gov.
You can find instructions for forwarding the messages on IRS.gov.