Date: 2010-10-15

Consumers should be aware of a scam in which recipients receive an e-mail that claims to come from the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System. The e-mail states that tax payments made by the e-mail recipient through EFTPS have been rejected. The e-mail then directs recipients to a bogus website containing malicious software (malware) that infects the intended victim’s computer. To avoid the bogus website and malware, do not click on any links, open any attachments or reply to the sender for any e-mail you may receive that claims to come from EFTPS.

The IRS and the Financial Management Service (the Treasury bureau that owns EFTPS) does not communicate payment information through e-mail.

EFTPS is committed to taxpayer privacy and uses industry-leading security practices and technology to protect taxpayer data.

A scam that tricks someone into revealing their personal and financial data is identity theft. A scam that attempts to do this through e-mail is known as phishing. Find out more about IRS-impersonation phishing scams and how to recognize and report them to the IRS.

If you responded to this scam and believe you may have become the victim of identity theft, find out what steps you can take.

EFTPS is a tax payment system that allows individuals and businesses to pay federal taxes electronically via the Internet or phone, at any time of the day and any day of the year. It’s free, it’s fast and it’s secure, accurate and convenient.