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IRS and FBI Phishing Scam: Do Not Click That Email

Posted: August 29, 2017 to Cybersecurity.

Tags: Compliance, Ransomware, Malware, Data Breach

The IRS is after you, and they want you to fill out an FBI questionnaire. So says a new phishing scam, anyway. The email reads as follows: The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is the revenue service of the United States federal government. The government agency is a bureau of the Department of the Treasury. The IRS is responsible for collecting taxes and administering the Internal Revenue Code, the federal statutory tax law of the U.S. Our duty to maximize tax revenue, as well as pursuing and resolving instances of erroneous or fraudulent tax filings. Owning to the change of Tax laws of the United States of America of June 21, 2017 (Federal tax regulations ref. no. 13-444876478) any business activity of resident or the non-resident citizens of the United States of America abroad, in particular the belonging of offshore companies, equity participation and offshore capitals, is transferred under the special control of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. FBI requires a completed questionnaire here with absolutely reliable information. The questionnaire should be printed, filled out, signed in the specified places, scanned and sent within 10 days from the reception of this letter here: [email protected]. Clicking the link (which we've obviously left off) will download ransomware to your computer. The IRS issued a statement urging people not to pay the ransom if their computer becomes infected, as it would encourage hackers to keep scamming people. They go on to ask any attempts at fraud, ransom, or what have you be reported to [email protected]. Of course, awareness is the easiest way to prevent ransomware and other ill effects from phishing. Make sure you and your employees are up to date on the latest in security awareness training by clicking here.

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About the Author

Craig Petronella, CEO and Founder of Petronella Technology Group
CEO, Founder & AI Architect, Petronella Technology Group

Craig Petronella founded Petronella Technology Group in 2002 and has spent more than 30 years working at the intersection of cybersecurity, AI, compliance, and digital forensics. He holds the CMMC Registered Practitioner credential (RP-1372) issued by the Cyber AB, is an NC Licensed Digital Forensics Examiner (License #604180-DFE), and completed MIT Professional Education programs in AI, Blockchain, and Cybersecurity. Craig also holds CompTIA Security+, CCNA, and Hyperledger certifications.

He is an Amazon #1 Best-Selling Author of 15+ books on cybersecurity and compliance, host of the Encrypted Ambition podcast (95+ episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon), and a cybersecurity keynote speaker with 200+ engagements at conferences, law firms, and corporate boardrooms. Craig serves as Contributing Editor for Cybersecurity at NC Triangle Attorney at Law Magazine and is a guest lecturer at NCCU School of Law. He has served as a digital forensics expert witness in federal and state court cases involving cybercrime, cryptocurrency fraud, SIM-swap attacks, and data breaches.

Under his leadership, Petronella Technology Group has served 2,500+ clients, maintained a zero-breach record among compliant clients, earned a BBB A+ rating every year since 2003, and been featured as a cybersecurity authority on CBS, ABC, NBC, FOX, and WRAL. The company leverages SOC 2 Type II certified platforms and specializes in AI implementation, managed cybersecurity, CMMC/HIPAA/SOC 2 compliance, and digital forensics for businesses across the United States.

CMMC-RP NC Licensed DFE MIT Certified CompTIA Security+ Expert Witness 15+ Books
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