Annapolis, MD – October 10, 2017 – Comptroller Peter Franchot and the Internal Revenue Service are urging all e-Services users to beware a new phishing scam that tries to trick tax professionals into “signing” a new e-Services user agreement. The phishing scam seeks to steal passwords and data.
“These scams are meant to hurt all honest, hardworking Marylanders, but especially the many diligent tax professionals throughout the state who spend a great deal of time keeping current on the latest tax and software updates as they prepare for the 2018 tax filing season,” said Comptroller Peter Franchot.
All tax professionals should be aware that as e-Services begins its move later this month to Secure Access authentication and its two-factor protections, cybercriminals likely will make last-ditch efforts to steal passwords and data prior to the transition. Don’t take the bait!
The scam email claims to be from “e-Services Registration” and uses “Important Update about Your e-Services Account” in the subject line. It states, in part, “We are rolling out a new user agreement and all registered users must accept its revised terms to have access to e-Services and its products.” It asks you to review and accept the agreement but takes you to a fake site instead.
If you have clicked onto this link, you should perform a deep scan with your security software, contact your office’s IT/cybersecurity personnel and contact the IRS e-Help Desk.
To read more about what the IRS is doing to protect your accounts with Secure Access authentication, go directly to the main e-Services landing page on IRS.gov.