IRS warns of fake tax bill scam

Scammers are sending fake tax bills purportedly related to the Affordable Care Act, the Internal Revenue Service cautioned recently.

The IRS and its security partners have received reports that scammers are sending fake versions of the CP2000 notices for the tax year 2015. The scam involves an email with the fake document attached.

The CP2000 is a legitimate notice, but the IRS sends it to taxpayers through the traditional mail. The agency does not contact taxpayers by email or through social media platforms.

The scam generally entails notices sent electronically from what appears to be an Austin, Texas, address.

Recipients of suspicious messages should forward them to phishing@irs.gov and then delete them from their accounts.

This story was originally published September 25, 2016 at 6:09 PM with the headline "IRS warns of fake tax bill scam."