IRS warns against phony e-mails

The Internal Revenue Service warned computer users not to fall for phony e-mails that scare people into believing they are under tax investigation -- then giving scammers access to their computer hard drives.

The tax agency said the e-mail claiming to be from IRS Criminal Investigation falsely states that the person is under a criminal probe for submitting a false tax return to the California Franchise Tax Board. Opening an attachment to learn more about the complaint allows those behind the scam to gain remote access to the computer.

The IRS stressed that it does not send out unsolicited e-mails or ask for detailed personal and financial information such as personal identification numbers, passwords or other credit card and bank information. It said that people who receive questionable e-mails should not open attachments or click on any links. Instead, they should forward the e-mails to phishing@irs.gov.