One of our clients recently received what appeared to be a legitimate IRS letter — but it was a sophisticated phishing scam designed to steal your personal and financial information. These types of scams are becoming more convincing, and we want to make sure you don’t fall victim.
Phishing is a type of cyber scam where criminals try to trick you into giving them sensitive information — like passwords, Social Security numbers, or bank details — by pretending to be someone you trust (like the IRS, your bank, or even your workplace).
Here’s how phishing works:
- You might receive an email, letter, text, or phone call that looks official.
- It might include urgent warnings or requests, such as:
- “Click this link to make a payment”
- “Your account will be locked if you don’t respond”
- “Scan this QR code to pay your taxes”
- If you click the link or scan the code, you’re directed to a fake website that looks real.
- That site captures whatever information you enter — and sends it to the scammer.
What This Fake Letter Looks Like
At first glance, this letter mimics official IRS formatting, complete with:
- IRS logos and headers
- References to “Estimated Tax Payments”
- Legitimate-sounding IRS language
- Accurate tax year info and due dates
But there are multiple red flags — including the real danger: the QR code.
Why This Letter Is a SCAM:
We’ve annotated the image below to show you exactly where the scam gives itself away:
- Wrong IRS address
- References a fake IRS source: “Estimated Tax Payments Outreach” — this does not exist
- QR codes throughout the letter encouraging you to “make a payment” — the IRS does not use QR codes for tax payments
- Bogus letter number: “Letter 6205” — this is not a real IRS correspondence type
Do NOT scan any QR codes or visit the links in the letter — they direct you to fake payment portals where scammers steal your banking information.
What To Do If You Get a Letter Like This:
- Do NOT pay anything.
- Do NOT scan QR codes.
- Do NOT call any number on the letter.
- Forward a copy of the letter to: [email protected]
- Contact Not Just Numbers or the IRS directly if you’re unsure about any tax correspondence.
Be Proactive — Protect Yourself & Your Business
As phishing scams get more creative, staying informed is your best defense. At Not Just Numbers, we’re keeping a close eye on emerging threats like these and are always here to help you verify what’s real — and what’s not.
Unsure about a tax letter you’ve received? Don’t guess — call us today.
Visit: https://njnumbers.net
Call: 540.628.0464
