topic Re: IRS Email in Community Chat

SS Email

SharkE — Fri, 29 Jul 2016 14:23:48 GMT

Is this legit ? you never know any more what is real and what isn't.

I got an email telling hubbo to go to his ss account and now put in a cell phone number, they, will send to him a new code, to use whenever he goes to his SS account in an effort to protect his information with another layer of protection.

Makes you wonder is this 'phishing'?

Re: IRS Email

10000Nicknames — Fri, 29 Jul 2016 13:55:31 GMT

IRS doesn't send e-mails. Period.

Re: IRS Email

KingstonsMom — Fri, 29 Jul 2016 14:05:32 GMT

I received this email too and question it's authenticity. When my computer guru gets home I'm going to have him check it out.

ETA: My email is NOT from IRS, but the Social Security Administration.

Re: IRS Email

Krimpette — Fri, 29 Jul 2016 14:02:21 GMT

Repeating anothe poster....IRS does NOT contact by e-mail. Best advice is to forward that e-mail to the IRS fraud department.

Re: IRS Email

QueenDanceALot — Fri, 29 Jul 2016 14:04:57 GMT

Absolutely NOT legit.

Re: IRS Email

Kachina624 — Fri, 29 Jul 2016 14:09:35 GMT

How would the IRS or SS even have your email address? I've never seen anything from either asking for it.

Re: IRS Email

nomless — Fri, 29 Jul 2016 14:20:11 GMT

@SharkE wrote:
Is this legit ? you never know any more what is real and what isn't.

I got an email telling hubbo to go to his ss account and now put in a cell phone number, they, will send to him a new code, to use whenever he goes to his SS account in an effort to protect his information with another layer of protection.

Makes you wonder is this 'phishing'?

@SharkE, I got this email, too, but it is in regard to MySocialSecurity, not IRS. In fact, in your post, you also say it is in regard to Social Security, not IRS as you put on your headline

I think it's real because the from line domain is SSA.gov, but like you, I'm not sure. I find it odd that SSA would require a user to have a cell one in order to use the account, and according to this message, that is indeed the case. That makes me skeptical. I know that security codes they describe are sometimes used, but usually there are alternate methods of delivery....landline, cell, email. In this case, it says the only means of delivery is cell phone. Hmmm, that makes me suspicious.

To verify if it's real, in August (when this change will be implemented according to the email)try, logging into the SSA account using the standard URL and see if you are required to enter a cell number to access the account. Do not use a link in the email (I can't remember if there is one).

Re: IRS Email

nomless — Fri, 29 Jul 2016 14:16:29 GMT

@Kachina624 wrote:
How would the IRS or SS even have your email address? I've never seen anything from either asking for it.

If you create a login on SSA in order to check status, etc., yes, you can enter an email address. So yes, it is possible for SSA to have your email address.

Re: IRS Email

millieshops — Fri, 29 Jul 2016 14:17:37 GMT

Emails supposedly from IRS or SS are scams.

Even if you are involved in some kind of discussion with one of those agencies, if you get an email from them, do not open it. It's not from any legit agency.

Re: IRS Email

SharkE — Fri, 29 Jul 2016 14:19:19 GMT

@Kachina624 wrote:
How would the IRS or SS even have your email address? I've never seen anything from either asking for it.

Think when U sign up for either SS or Medicare they ask for it.

Just the other day he got one to check his account and change his password.

Re: IRS Email

bri20 — Fri, 29 Jul 2016 14:19:50 GMT

Sounds like a scam.

Don't go to your social security account from the email. Go to your account from the social security site and check it out...

Re: IRS Email

KingstonsMom — Fri, 29 Jul 2016 14:20:25 GMT

@Kachina624 wrote:
How would the IRS or SS even have your email address? I've never seen anything from either asking for it.

@Kachina624

I applied for SS benefits online, that's how they have my emaill address.

I also get emails from the SSA to check my annual benefits statement.

Re: IRS Email

SharkE — Fri, 29 Jul 2016 14:21:37 GMT

@nomless wrote:
@SharkE wrote:
Is this legit ? you never know any more what is real and what isn't.

I got an email telling hubbo to go to his ss account and now put in a cell phone number, they, will send to him a new code, to use whenever he goes to his SS account in an effort to protect his information with another layer of protection.

Makes you wonder is this 'phishing'?

@SharkE, I got this email, too, but it is in regard to MySocialSecurity, not IRS. In fact, in your post, you also say it is in regard to Social Security, not IRS as you put on your headline

I think it's real because the from line domain is SSA.gov, but like you, I'm not sure. I find it odd that SSA would require a user to have a cell one in order to use the account, and according to this message, that is indeed the case. That makes me skeptical. I know that security codes they describe are sometimes used, but usually there are alternate methods of delivery....landline, cell, email. In this case, it says the only means of delivery is cell phone. Hmmm, that makes me suspicious.

To verify if it's real, in August (when this change will be implemented according to the email)try, logging into the SSA account using the standard URL and see if you are required to enter a cell number to access the account. Do not use a link in the email (I can't remember if there is one).

your absolutely right I got my connections crossed. LOL

I was referring to SS. Thank U for the correction ! It's early ! LOL

Re: IRS Email

Patriot3 — Fri, 29 Jul 2016 14:23:18 GMT

IRS only communicates via US mail. Any other conveyance is a scam. Do not pay any attention to it

Re: IRS Email

aproudmom — Fri, 29 Jul 2016 14:23:22 GMT

Every place now wants your email address. That is how they communicate with you. I did get that email from Social Security. I went into my account and changed my email address. I then got an email at my new address that questioned if I did make the change and not to reply, but go the SS Website. If you question it, call them.

Re: IRS Email

nycgrl — Fri, 29 Jul 2016 14:24:21 GMT

I got it too - went to my spam. I immediately deleted it. Don't even open these. The IRS does NOT send emails ever. This has been all over the news recently.

Re: IRS Email

Kachina624 — Fri, 29 Jul 2016 14:29:38 GMT

@KingstonsMom wrote:
@Kachina624 wrote:
How would the IRS or SS even have your email address? I've never seen anything from either asking for it.
@Kachina624

I applied for SS benefits online, that's how they have my emaill address.

I also get emails from the SSA to check my annual benefits statement.

@KingstonsMomI did too but they've never ask for nor have I given them an email address. I've never received email from them either.

Re: IRS Email

nomless — Fri, 29 Jul 2016 14:46:11 GMT

I just did a search on the SSA site. Currently, use of a cell phone to which a code can be sent via text is an optional means of security, but it doesn't say if this will be mandatory as of August, as stated in the email. So, I still don't know.

There's nothing on Snopes about it.

And yes, SSA can and does communicate via email. But don't ever click on a link in the email. If you need to go to the site, always use the standard URL.

Re: IRS Email

KingstonsMom — Fri, 29 Jul 2016 14:44:37 GMT

@Kachina624 wrote:
@KingstonsMom wrote:
@Kachina624 wrote:
How would the IRS or SS even have your email address? I've never seen anything from either asking for it.
@Kachina624

I applied for SS benefits online, that's how they have my emaill address.

I also get emails from the SSA to check my annual benefits statement.

@KingstonsMomI did too but they've never ask for nor have I given them an email address. I've never received email from them either.

@Kachina624

Maybe you didn't sign up for 'MySocialSecurity' which allows you to check your benefits statement online, rather than receiving a mail copy. Part of their effort to 'go

green'.

If you didn't set up this account, you would not be getting emails.

I also get free identity record monitoring through SSA, after someone filed taxes in my name a couple of years ago.

I get monthly emails from them re: any activity in my name/SSN#.

Re: IRS Email

SharkE — Fri, 29 Jul 2016 14:45:54 GMT

according to the email I got it said it will be mandatory and everytime you go into your account from here on in you type in the code and they will send you a confirmation if it was really U or not.