New Phishing

In my in-box this morning were 3 emails telling me that my recent payment through EFTPS (Electronic Funds Transfer Payment System) has been rejected. They were bogus. But they were better than most phishing e-mails. They sounded "official" and it took me a moment to realize that if there were problems with my company id as suggested, then I wouldn't have been allowed to make the payment in the first place. I had to double check the respond URL they gave because it is so close to to actual EFTPS URL. The timing is right. Businesses are making 3rd quarter tax deposits now. And their warning:

Your tax payment is due regardless of EFTPS on-line availability. In case of an emergency, you can always make your tax payment by calling the EFTPS.

Very much sounds like something the IRS would write.

I use EFTPS regularly for clients, and these emails made me think. I can see them being a concern to taxpayers who only use the system a few times a year. So:

These emails are a scam. If there is a problem with your company id, you wouldn't have made it into the system to make a payment. If you are concerned about the possibility of this being true, don't use the link but log in to EFTPS directly and check your payment history.

Comments

[urban daddy]

Yeah, got a bunch of them too. Have not used EFTPS for almost a year due to a screw-up with the IRS and their changing of our code...

Looked funny...

Thanks for backing up my thoughts!

FYI I also post at www.intaxicating.wordpress.com

[Nancy]

Why can't people just be honest and good. I am so tired of everyone taking advantage of everyone. As the song goes....why can't we be friends.

[Saralou]

I even forwarded the ones I received to the IRS spoof place.....Had tried to sign up with EFTPS in March and received nothing back. Wonder what we all have in common that we got the emails. Where's the leak?