In this blog post, we will explain what the IRS@tax-return.org email scam is, how it works, and what you can do if you have fallen victim to it. We will also provide some tips on how to avoid such scams in the future.
The IRS@tax-return.org email scam is a phishing scheme that targets taxpayers in the United States. The scammers send fake emails that appear to come from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), claiming that the recipients are eligible for a tax refund or need to verify their identity or account information. The emails contain a link or an attachment that leads to a fraudulent website or a malware-infected file.
The goal of the scammers is to trick the victims into providing their personal and financial information, such as their Social Security number, bank account number, credit card number, or online login credentials. The scammers can then use this information to steal the victims’ identity, money, or tax refunds.
How does the IRS@tax-return.org Email Scam work?
The IRS@tax-return.org email scam works by exploiting the trust and fear of the taxpayers. The scammers use various techniques to make their emails look legitimate and convincing, such as:
Using the official logo, name, and address of the IRS
Using a spoofed email address or domain name that resembles the IRS
Using a subject line that refers to a tax issue or a refund
Using a professional and courteous tone
Using grammatically correct and error-free language
Using urgent or threatening language to create a sense of pressure or urgency
Asking for personal or financial information that the IRS would never request via email
The scammers also use social engineering tactics to manipulate the victims’ emotions and persuade them to click on the link or open the attachment. For example, they may:
Appeal to the victims’ greed by promising a large tax refund
Appeal to the victims’ curiosity by claiming that they have an important message or document from the IRS
Appeal to the victims’ fear by warning that they have a tax problem or penalty that needs to be resolved immediately
Appeal to the victims’ sense of duty by stating that they need to verify their identity or account information for security reasons
Once the victims click on the link or open the attachment, they are directed to a fake website that mimics the appearance and functionality of the IRS website. The website asks them to enter their personal and financial information, such as their name, address, date of birth, Social Security number, bank account number, credit card number, or online login credentials. Alternatively, the attachment may contain a malicious file that infects the victims’ computer with malware that can steal their information, monitor their online activity, or lock their files and demand a ransom.
What to do if you have fallen victim?
If you have fallen victim to the IRS@tax-return.org email scam, you should take immediate action to protect yourself and your identity. Here are some steps you can take:
Contact your bank and credit card companies and inform them of the fraud. Ask them to freeze your accounts and issue new cards.
Change your passwords and security questions for your online accounts, especially those related to your taxes, banking, and email.
Report the scam to the IRS by forwarding the email to phishing@irs.gov. You can also call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040.
Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) by visiting www.ftc.gov/complaint or calling 1-877-FTC-HELP.
Check your credit reports for any suspicious activity or accounts. You can get a free credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus once a year at www.annualcreditreport.com.
Consider placing a fraud alert or a credit freeze on your credit reports. This will prevent new accounts from being opened in your name without your permission.
File a police report with your local law enforcement agency.
File an identity theft report with the Identity Theft Resource Center at www.identitytheftcenter.org or call 1-888-400-5530.
Is Your Device Infected? Scan for Malware
If your computer or phone is slow, showing unwanted pop-ups, or acting strangely, malware could be the cause. Running a scan with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free is one of the most reliable ways to detect and remove harmful software. The free version can identify and clean common infections such as adware, browser hijackers, trojans, and other unwanted programs.
Malwarebytes works on Windows, Mac, and Android devices. Choose your operating system below and follow the steps to scan your device and remove any malware that might be slowing it down.
Malwarebytes for WindowsMalwarebytes for MacMalwarebytes for Android
Run a Malware Scan with Malwarebytes for Windows
Malwarebytes stands out as one of the leading and widely-used anti-malware solutions for Windows, and for good reason. It effectively eradicates various types of malware that other programs often overlook, all at no cost to you. When it comes to disinfecting an infected device, Malwarebytes has consistently been a free and indispensable tool in the battle against malware. We highly recommend it for maintaining a clean and secure system.
Download Malwarebytes
Download the latest version of Malwarebytes for Windows using the official link below. Malwarebytes will scan your computer and remove adware, browser hijackers, and other malicious software for free.
(The above link will open a new page from where you can download Malwarebytes)
Install Malwarebytes
After the download is complete, locate the MBSetup file, typically found in your Downloads folder. Double-click on the MBSetup file to begin the installation of Malwarebytes on your computer. If a User Account Control pop-up appears, click “Yes” to continue the Malwarebytes installation.
Follow the On-Screen Prompts to Install Malwarebytes
When the Malwarebytes installation begins, the setup wizard will guide you through the process.
You’ll first be prompted to choose the type of computer you’re installing the program on—select either “Personal Computer” or “Work Computer” as appropriate, then click on Next.
Malwarebytes will now begin the installation process on your device.
When the Malwarebytes installation is complete, the program will automatically open to the “Welcome to Malwarebytes” screen.
On the final screen, simply click on the Open Malwarebytes option to start the program.
Enable “Rootkit scanning”.
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware will now start, and you will see the main screen as shown below. To maximize Malwarebytes’ ability to detect malware and unwanted programs, we need to enable rootkit scanning. Click on the “Settings” gear icon located on the left of the screen to access the general settings section.
In the settings menu, enable the “Scan for rootkits” option by clicking the toggle switch until it turns blue.
Now that you have enabled rootkit scanning, click on the “Dashboard” button in the left pane to get back to the main screen.
Perform a Scan with Malwarebytes.
To start a scan, click the Scan button. Malwarebytes will automatically update its antivirus database and begin scanning your computer for malicious programs.
Wait for the Malwarebytes scan to complete.
Malwarebytes will now scan your computer for browser hijackers and other malicious programs. This process can take a few minutes, so we suggest you do something else and periodically check the status of the scan to see when it is finished.
Quarantine detected malware
Once the Malwarebytes scan is complete, it will display a list of detected malware, adware, and potentially unwanted programs. To effectively remove these threats, click the “Quarantine” button.
Malwarebytes will now delete all of the files and registry keys and add them to the program’s quarantine.
Restart your computer.
When removing files, Malwarebytes may require a reboot to fully eliminate some threats. If you see a message indicating that a reboot is needed, please allow it. Once your computer has restarted and you are logged back in, you can continue with the remaining steps.
Once the scan completes, remove all detected threats. Your Windows computer should now be clean and running smoothly again, free of trojans, adware, and other malware.
If your current antivirus allowed this malicious program on your computer, you may want to consider purchasing Malwarebytes Premium to protect against these types of threats in the future. If you are still having problems with your computer after completing these instructions, then please follow one of the steps:
Malwarebytes for Mac is an on-demand scanner that can destroy many types of malware that other software tends to miss without costing you absolutely anything. When it comes to cleaning up an infected device, Malwarebytes has always been free, and we recommend it as an essential tool in the fight against malware.
Download Malwarebytes for Mac.
You can download Malwarebytes for Mac by clicking the link below.
When Malwarebytes has finished downloading, double-click on the setup file to install Malwarebytes on your computer. In most cases, downloaded files are saved to the Downloads folder.
Follow the on-screen prompts to install Malwarebytes.
When the Malwarebytes installation begins, you will see the Malwarebytes for Mac Installer which will guide you through the installation process. Click “Continue“, then keep following the prompts to continue with the installation process.
When your Malwarebytes installation completes, the program opens to the Welcome to Malwarebytes screen. Click the “Get started” button.
Select “Personal Computer” or “Work Computer”.
The Malwarebytes Welcome screen will first ask you what type of computer are you installing this program, click either Personal Computer or Work Computer.
Click on “Scan”.
To scan your computer with Malwarebytes, click on the “Scan” button. Malwarebytes for Mac will automatically update the antivirus database and start scanning your computer for malware.
Wait for the Malwarebytes scan to complete.
Malwarebytes will scan your computer for adware, browser hijackers, and other malicious programs. This process can take a few minutes, so we suggest you do something else and periodically check on the status of the scan to see when it is finished.
Click on “Quarantine”.
When the scan has been completed, you will be presented with a screen showing the malware infections that Malwarebytes has detected. To remove the malware that Malwarebytes has found, click on the “Quarantine” button.
Restart computer.
Malwarebytes will now remove all the malicious files that it has found. To complete the malware removal process, Malwarebytes may ask you to restart your computer.
After scanning, delete any detected threats. Your Mac should now be free from adware, unwanted extensions, and other potentially harmful software.
If your current antivirus allowed a malicious program on your computer, you might want to consider purchasing the full-featured version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware to protect against these types of threats in the future. If you are still experiencing problems while trying to remove a malicious program from your computer, please ask for help in our Mac Malware Removal Help & Support forum.
Run a Malware Scan with Malwarebytes for Android
Malwarebytes for Android automatically detects and removes dangerous threats like malware and ransomware so you don’t have to worry about your most-used device being compromised. Aggressive detection of adware and potentially unwanted programs keeps your Android phone or tablet running smooth.
Download Malwarebytes for Android.
You can download Malwarebytes for Android by clicking the link below.
In the Google Play Store, tap “Install” to install Malwarebytes for Android on your device.
When the installation process has finished, tap “Open” to begin using Malwarebytes for Android. You can also open Malwarebytes by tapping on its icon in your phone menu or home screen.
Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the setup process
When Malwarebytes will open, you will see the Malwarebytes Setup Wizard which will guide you through a series of permissions and other setup options. This is the first of two screens that explain the difference between the Premium and Free versions. Swipe this screen to continue. Tap on “Got it” to proceed to the next step. Malwarebytes for Android will now ask for a set of permissions that are required to scan your device and protect it from malware. Tap on “Give permission” to continue. Tap on “Allow” to permit Malwarebytes to access the files on your phone.
Update database and run a scan with Malwarebytes for Android
You will now be prompted to update the Malwarebytes database and run a full system scan.
Click on “Update database” to update the Malwarebytes for Android definitions to the latest version, then click on “Run full scan” to perform a system scan.
Wait for the Malwarebytes scan to complete.
Malwarebytes will now start scanning your phone for adware and other malicious apps. This process can take a few minutes, so we suggest you do something else and periodically check on the status of the scan to see when it is finished.
Click on “Remove Selected”.
When the scan has been completed, you will be presented with a screen showing the malware infections that Malwarebytes for Android has detected. To remove the malicious apps that Malwarebytes has found, tap on the “Remove Selected” button.
Restart your phone.
Malwarebytes for Android will now remove all the malicious apps that it has found. To complete the malware removal process, Malwarebytes may ask you to restart your device.
When the scan is finished, remove all detected threats. Your Android phone should now be free of malicious apps, adware, and unwanted browser redirects.
If your current antivirus allowed a malicious app on your phone, you may want to consider purchasing the full-featured version of Malwarebytes to protect against these types of threats in the future. If you are still having problems with your phone after completing these instructions, then please follow one of the steps:
Restore your phone to factory settings by going to Settings > General management > Reset > Factory data reset.
After cleaning your device, it’s important to protect it from future infections and annoying pop-ups. We recommend installing an ad blocker such as AdGuard. AdGuard blocks malicious ads, prevents phishing attempts, and stops dangerous redirects, helping you stay safe while browsing online.
Conclusion
The IRS@tax-return.org email scam is one of many phishing schemes that target taxpayers in the United States. The scammers use fake emails that appear to come from the IRS, claiming that the recipients are eligible for a tax refund or need to verify their identity or account information. The scammers aim to trick the victims into providing their personal and financial information, which they can then use to steal their identity, money, or tax refunds.
To avoid falling victim to such scams, you should always be cautious and vigilant when receiving emails from unknown senders. You should never click on links or open attachments in unsolicited emails. You should also never provide your personal or financial information via email. Remember that the IRS will never contact you via email to request such information. If you are unsure about the legitimacy of an email, you can always contact the IRS directly at 1-800-829-1040 or visit www.irs.gov.
We hope this blog post has helped you understand what the IRS@tax-return.org email scam is, how it works, and what you can do if you have fallen victim to it. We also hope that you have learned some tips on how to avoid such scams in the future. Stay safe and smart online!
Stelian leverages over a decade of cybersecurity expertise to lead malware analysis and removal, uncover scams, and educate people. His experience provides insightful analysis and valuable perspective.
