IRS WARNS OF BOGUS TAX-REFUND E-MAIL

The Internal Revenue Service has issued a consumer alert about an Internet phishing scam in which consumers receive an e-mail, purportedly from the IRS, informing them that they are eligible to receive a tax refund for a specific amount.

The e-mail, which claims to be from "tax refunds@irs.gov," directs the consumer to a link that requests personal information, such as Social Security numbers and credit card information. IRS officials stressed that the agency does not ask for personal identifying or financial information via unsolicited e-mails.

Anyone receiving such an e-mail should NOTopen any attachments because they may contain a malicious code that will infect your computer. Call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to determine whether the agency is trying to contact you about a tax refund, officials said. Read more.

REMINDER:

The State Bank of Illinois recommends that as a precaution, all customers regularly update their antivirus and/or Spyware tools to protect them from general Internet threats. For additional information regarding this and other Viruses please contact your antivirus software provider.