Another rip off

[ILLMAS]

Received this email today:

PTIN Certificates are now available for all PTIN registrants, CPAs, EAs and RTRPs.

Your personalized, heavy stock, gold leaf, raised seal PTIN member certificate is now available to view.

Great for framing and display in your office.

Proudly display your certificate as a licensed and registered tax professional.

Click the link below to view and request your certificate:

http://www.ptindirectory.com/membership-certificates.cfm

Certificates should not be displayed if your PTIN registration lapses and is not renewed.

[mcb39]

I have already received a gold embossed (free except or test fees) stamped and signed as well as useless RTRP certificate from the IRS. Nevertheless, it is hanging on my wall. It looks impressive.

[Lion EA]

I have my NY certificate with an expired date, because I don't have to renew as an EA (but had to get the first year -- thank you NYSEA for fighting for us EAs to get rid of the renewals!).

[joanmcq]

I got that email too. Delete!

[Guest Taxed]

I got that email too. Delete!

You are a very smart lady.

I received my RTRP certificate, can I continue to use the RTRP designation? (updated 2.22.2013)

Preston Benoit, Deputy Director of the Return Preparer Office, said that due to the injunction, the IRS neither recognizes nor endorses the RTRP credential. The IRS will not comment on whether or not a professional can use the credential, but he did say there was nothing stopping professionals from displaying their certificates.