IRS warns of new e-mail scam

WASHINGTON, June 1 (UPI) -- The U.S. Internal Revenue Service announced in Washington a new e-mail scam that falsely alerts taxpayers they are under investigation.

The IRS warned the e-mail -- which claims to be from IRS Criminal Investigation -- misleads recipients by informing them they are under criminal investigation for submitting a bogus tax return to the California Franchise Tax Board.

The agency warned the e-mail seeks to goad readers into clicking a link or opening an attachment that contains a Trojan Horse that could allow the program's author to access a computer remotely and take over its hard drive.

"Everyone should beware of these scam artists," acting IRS Commissioner Kevin Brown said. "Always exercise caution when you receive unsolicited e-mails or e-mails from senders you don't know."

The IRS said it never sends unsolicited e-mails or requests personal and financial information via e-mail.