The emails are sent from perpetrators pretending to be from the “IRS Online” and carrying an attachment labeled Tax Account Transcript” or a similar label and a subject line with a variation on the phrase  “tax transcript.”

The Emotet malware often poses as specific banks and financial institutions in order to trick people into opening infected documents. The United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team has labeled the Emotet Malware “among the most costly and destructive malware affecting state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) governments, and the private and public sectors.”

The IRS urges taxpayers not to open such emails or attachments. They are encouraged to forward any suspect emails to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Those using company computers should notify the company’s technology professionals.