Legislator Scannell Warns Be Wary Of Email Notices That Appear To Be From IRS

Nassau County Legislator Joe Scannell (D-Baldwin) warns residents to be wary of email notices that appear to be from the IRS promising money. The IRS never initiates contact with taxpayers through email. Additionally it does not request detailed personal information through email or ask taxpayers for their PIN numbers, passwords, or similar confidential access information including credit card, bank or other financial account information.

“As the old saying goes, if it looks too good to be true, it is,” Legislator Scannell said. “The IRS never offers refunds or stimulus payments through email. When they need to contact a taxpayer, they send a notice via US mail and every notice includes a telephone number that the recipient can call for confirmation. Opening any attachments to a questionable email can infect your computer. Protect yourself.”

Legislator Scannell encourages residents to visit the IRS website directly at www.irs.gov to have any questions answered and to report any emails purporting to originate with the agency. If you’d like to investigate questionable emails you can try www.snopes.com.