Connecticut taxpayers are being targeted by a new email scam. On-line thieves posing as the Department of Revenue Services (DRS) are using email to steal taxpayer information. These phishing attacks appear to originate outside of the United States.
According to DRS Commissioner Kevin Sullivan, taxpayers are receiving email messages about a “Connecticut state income tax verification exercise.” Taxpayers are then directed to link to a phony website that looks like an official DRS website and asked to disclose confidential information. Disclosing the information results in identity theft and likely fraudulent income refund claims in the name of the taxpayer.
What taxpayers will see in their email is the following message:
Due to routine check and validation of our new website, you are required to download the attachment CT STATE INCOME TAX VERIFICATION EXERCISE to validate your details on CT database to enable you log in and view your W2 for the oncoming 2015 Income Tax Return exercise.
DRS Home CT.gov home FAQs Feedback/Questions
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Commissioner Sullivan said, “DRS never contacts taxpayers this way. Don’t get scammed. Do not open or reply to this email. Do not open the linked site however official it may look.”
He is advising people that they can contact DRS at (860) 297-5962 or outside the Hartford calling areas at (800) 382-9463.