Fake ID.me emails phishing

[Catherine]

Eric Green of Tax Rep Network sent out a warning today about this. He got one yesterday, as did a local colleague.  Here's what he sent out:

 

[Lee B]

Well, that's really sneaky

[jklcpa]

I use e-services so infrequently that there is always some new requirement to get in. I hadn't bothered with it until yesterday and went through the ID.me process. I had opted for the login.gov to access EFTPS instead. 

Just watch, now it will probably change again in the near future!

[JohnH]

I registered for login.gov and id.me, so looks like I'll need to be on the lookout for scams with either one.  I don't think I'd fall for it since I never click on links unless I'm expecting them, but one never knows when there might be a lapse in attention.  And that one has a fairly legitimate look to it (well, except for the big red arrow and the word "SCAM" )

[mcb39]

6 hours ago, jklcpa said:

I use e-services so infrequently that there is always some new requirement to get in. I hadn't bothered with it until yesterday and went through the ID.me process. I had opted for the login.gov to access EFTPS instead. 

Just watch, now it will probably change again in the near future!

I use login.gov, but looks like I will have to create an ID.me account.  Am dreading it.  Why do they make everything so hard for us and what thanks do we get?  I just got a letter saying that I owe them the amount that I had direct withdrawn the day that I filed.  I have proof that it went to the IRS:USATAXPYMT., over a month prior to this letter.

[mcb39]

On 5/22/2025 at 8:28 PM, mcb39 said:

I use login.gov, but looks like I will have to create an ID.me account.  Am dreading it.  Why do they make everything so hard for us and what thanks do we get?  I just got a letter saying that I owe them the amount that I had direct withdrawn the day that I filed.  I have proof that it went to the IRS:USATAXPYMT., over a month prior to this letter.

Plus Penalty and Interest, no less

[Lee B]

Perhaps the payment was misposted.

[Catherine]

14 hours ago, mcb39 said:

Plus Penalty and Interest, no less

Mail a copy of the proof of payment to the address on the payment coupon sent (along with that payment coupon). Add in a note about expecting the penalties & interest to be reversed since they have had payment since the due date. Highlight the date of payment on that copy of the payment receipt.

Eventually, they'll catch up to it and fix it.

[mcb39]

19 minutes ago, Catherine said:

Mail a copy of the proof of payment to the address on the payment coupon sent (along with that payment coupon). Add in a note about expecting the penalties & interest to be reversed since they have had payment since the due date. Highlight the date of payment on that copy of the payment receipt.

Eventually, they'll catch up to it and fix it.

No Payment coupon.  My proof is a statement from my bank that the money was issued to the IRS on 04/24.

[Lee B]

1 hour ago, mcb39 said:

No Payment coupon.  My proof is a statement from my bank that the money was issued to the IRS on 04/24.

Yes, but it doesn't tell you to what account and/or to where it was posted which is why I prefer Direct Pay or EFTPS.

[Catherine]

@mcb39 "I just got a letter saying that I owe them the amount that I had direct withdrawn the day that I filed."

The payment coupon that came with the letter you got. If it says you owe money, it should include a way to pay that - including a coupon to send in with a check. Or at least a "mail payment to" address. 

Use that.

[mcb39]

19 hours ago, Lee B said:

Yes, but it doesn't tell you to what account and/or to where it was posted which is why I prefer Direct Pay or EFTPS.

Just had another call yesterday from a client who got a letter saying that he owed over $5K.  He never owed that much and I, personally, assisted him with Direct Pay.  I am quickly reaching the point where I regret committing to another year of tax prep.  No matter how right you are; you are still wrong.  The IRS is making us look like a bunch of Idiots.

[Catherine]

Of course I can't find it now, but wasn't there an admission that the IRS computers are sending out erroneous balance due notices?

[mcb39]

14 minutes ago, Catherine said:

Of course I can't find it now, but wasn't there an admission that the IRS computers are sending out erroneous balance due notices?

I never saw it, but appears to be true.  Clients are angry and frightened.  There doesn't appear to be a way to assist them.  Incidentally, my personal letter regarding a payment they want, was originally paid with an EFTPS.  I am supposed to be on vacation before tackling the last of the extensions;  but I cannot settle and I cannot relax.  Every day comes another notice from a confused client.

[Lee B]

These balance due notice letters should probably be a separate discussion.