Last week a fellow Chamber member notified the Chamber staff regarding a potential IRS scam this tax season. After verifying the claim with Severson, Lammers and Abel (along with the IRS), we wanted to bring to your attention details of the scam and what to do if you receive a request.

Our member received an email looking like it originated from the IRS (from messageid82558@irs.gov) but in fact, it did not. The email claims that your business is eligible to receive a tax return, but they need you to fill out an attached form to do so. Please do not do so!

First, the IRS does not send correspondance through email. Second, the downloadable form also installs malware on your computer - please do not download any email attachments from an unknown source. Thirdly, by entering in your bank/credit card data into the form, you will be giving the scammers your credit card account information for their less-than-appreciated uses.

Please be vigilant this tax season for additional scams - the one outlined above looks very, very legit but is not. If you are a target of this scam, please send a copy of your experience to phishing@irs.gov and also keep documentation for the IRS to use in hardcopy format.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Best,

Caleb

Yearly Wages

Salary of retired US Presidents .............$450,000 FOR LIFE

Salary of House/Senate members ...........$174,000 FOR LIFE

Salary of Speaker of the House .............$223,500 FOR LIFE

Salary of Majority/Minority Leaders ......$193,400 FOR LIFE

Average salary of a soldier DEPLOYED IN AFGHANISTAN - $38,000

Average income for seniors on SOCIAL SECURITY - $12,000