IRS warns of variation of Form W-8BEN scam; crooks impersonate IRS to get banking and other information
IR-2018-119, May 10, 2018
IR-2018-119, May 10, 2018
Washington – The Internal Revenue Service today warned of a new twist tied to an old scam aimed at international taxpayers and non-resident aliens. In this scam, criminals use a fake IRS Form W-8BEN to solicit detailed personal identification and bank account information from victims.
Washington – The Internal Revenue Service today warned of a new twist tied to an old scam aimed at international taxpayers and non-resident aliens. In this scam, criminals use a fake IRS Form W-8BEN to solicit detailed personal identification and bank account information from victims.
Here’s how the scam works. Criminals mail or fax a letter indicating that although individuals are exempt from withholding and reporting income tax, they need to authenticate their information by filling out a phony version of Form W-8BEN, Certificate of Foreign Status of Beneficial Owner for United States Tax Withholding and Reporting. Recipients are requested to fax the information back.
Here’s how the scam works. Criminals mail or fax a letter indicating that although individuals are exempt from withholding and reporting income tax, they need to authenticate their information by filling out a phony version of Form W-8BEN, Certificate of Foreign Status of Beneficial Owner for United States Tax Withholding and Reporting. Recipients are requested to fax the information back.
The Form W-8BEN is a legitimate U.S. withholding certificate that is often used to claim exemption from withholding by foreign individuals. The Form W-8BEN is generally provided by foreign individuals to withholding agents or financial institutions, it is not a form that is filed with the IRS. In the past, fraudsters have targeted non-residents of the U.S. using the form as a lure to get personal details such as passport numbers and PIN codes. The legitimate IRS Form W-8BEN does not ask for any of that information. The IRS will not reach out directly to taxpayers to request a Form W-8BEN, this process is generally done by withholding agents and financial institutions. The phony letter or fax also refers to a Form W9095, which does not exist.
The Form W-8BEN is a legitimate U.S. withholding certificate that is often used to claim exemption from withholding by foreign individuals. The Form W-8BEN is generally provided by foreign individuals to withholding agents or financial institutions, it is not a form that is filed with the IRS. In the past, fraudsters have targeted non-residents of the U.S. using the form as a lure to get personal details such as passport numbers and PIN codes. The legitimate IRS Form W-8BEN does not ask for any of that information. The IRS will not reach out directly to taxpayers to request a Form W-8BEN, this process is generally done by withholding agents and financial institutions. The phony letter or fax also refers to a Form W9095, which does not exist.
Be alert to bogus letters, emails and letters that appear to come from the IRS or your tax professional requesting information. Scam letters, forms and e-mails are designed to trick taxpayers into thinking these are official communications from the IRS or others in the tax industry, including tax software companies. These phishing schemes may seek personal information, including mother’s maiden name, passport and account information in order steal the victim’s identity and their assets. Although a financial institution with which you have an account (such as a bank or securities company) may request that you provide or renew a Form W-8BEN as part of IRS requirements, you should consider verifying that your institution has in fact made this request.
Be alert to bogus letters, emails and letters that appear to come from the IRS or your tax professional requesting information. Scam letters, forms and e-mails are designed to trick taxpayers into thinking these are official communications from the IRS or others in the tax industry, including tax software companies. These phishing schemes may seek personal information, including mother’s maiden name, passport and account information in order steal the victim’s identity and their assets. Although a financial institution with which you have an account (such as a bank or securities company) may request that you provide or renew a Form W-8BEN as part of IRS requirements, you should consider verifying that your institution has in fact made this request.
Taxpayers who receive the IRS phone scam or any IRS impersonation scam should report it to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration at its IRS Impersonation Scam Reporting site and to the IRS by emailing phishing@irs.gov with the subject line “IRS Impersonation Scam.”
Taxpayers who receive the IRS phone scam or any IRS impersonation scam should report it to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration at its IRS Impersonation Scam Reporting site and to the IRS by emailing phishing@irs.gov with the subject line “IRS Impersonation Scam.”
Research & References of IRS warns of variation of Form W-8BEN scam; crooks impersonate IRS to get banking and other information|A&C Accounting And Tax Services
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