This just in: Received an email this morning purporting to be from the IRS. The top of the email had the IRS logo (sort of) along with the following text:

After the last annual calculations of your fiscal activity we have determined that you are eligible to receive 518.56$ tax refund under section 501(c) (13) of the Internal Revenue Code. Please submit the Tax Refund Request Form and allow us 3-9 days to process it.

Yours faithfully,
Sarah Hall Ingram, Commissioner

This notification has been sent by the Internal Revenue Service, a bureau of the Department of the Treasury.

Folks, this is a scam (there’s a link where I’ve bold-faced the “tax refund request form”).

The only tax refund request form I know of for an individual is Form 1040, in it’s varieties, including amended returns. The other lovely giveaway is the use of the dollar sign AFTER the amount; clearly it was written either by an idiot, or someone from outside the United States unfamiliar with common American usage.

If you take the 4 seconds to search Google for 501 c 13, the supposed code authorizing the refund, you’ll find that that code refers to cemetery companies — yet more silliness.

In case you don’t already know this, NEVER click on such a link.

The main takeaway for you, is the fact that the IRS NEVER initiates contact with a taxpayer via email. Ever. Period.

Tell your friends.