The IRS is warning that a phishing tsunami is crashing into America.

So far this year, the US tax authority warns, there has been an increase of 400% in reports of phishing scams.

"This dramatic jump in these scams comes at the busiest time of tax season," IRS Commissioner John Koskinen said in the alert.

"Watch out for fraudsters slipping these official-looking emails into inboxes, trying to confuse people at the very time they work on their taxes. We urge people not to click on these emails."

The scam emails are looking for victims who will provide personal information or tax return details. With that info, the scammers can file fraudulent document requests and refund claims.

This year, it is not only the tax payer that is being targeted. Tax preparers are also being targeted for their Preparer Tax Information Number (PTIN) and credentials that could be used by an attacker to get into the IRS filing system.

The FBI warns that such notices are not sent via email, but rather by snail mail. All other communication methods should be suspect.

Source: The Register