Fraudulent Text Messages Impersonating The IRS
We at the University of Illinois Tax School want to make tax practitioners in our community aware of a nasty scam that is gaining in popularity. Perhaps you have already…
Since today is Halloween, we thought it timely to republish this blog post. Be sure and read it to the tune of Bobby Pickett’s “The Monster Mash” (or hit play on the video at the bottom of the post) since today is Halloween. Identity theft, phishing, and cyber security can all be frightening, but it’s important to be aware of the risks.
The Identity Mash
I was working on some tax, late one night
When my eyes beheld an eerie sight
For on my monitor appeared just that quick
A million dollar prize for me to click
It did the mash, it did the identity mash
The identity mash, it was a phishing smash
It did the mash, it caught my data in a flash
It did the mash, it did the identity mash
From my hard drive to my docs in the castle east
To the master server these vampires did feast
The ghouls all came from their unworldly abodes
To get a jolt from my electrodes
It did the mash, it did the identity mash
The identity mash, it was a phishing smash
It did the mash, it caught my data in a flash
It did the mash, it did the identity mash
The zombies were having fun, the party had just begun
The guests included princes, coupons, and more fun
I had ignored Publication 4557,
Never thinking that this could happen
I unplugged my server to stop the deluge
But all I could think was my practice is now refuse
It did the mash, it did the identity mash
The identity mash, it was a phishing smash
It did the mash, it caught my data in a flash
It did the mash, it did the identity mash
Out from her office, my manager’s voice did ring
Seems she was troubled by just one thing
Where is our office procedures manual she said
“Not in writing It’s just in my head.”
Now it’s all mash, thanks to the identity mash
The identity mash, it was a phishing smash
It did the mash, it caught my data in a flash
It did the mash, it did the identity mash
Violating 230 and all Best Practices
Nothing backed up to restore my places
Notices for years and warnings so dear
When you find me on the floor, tell them a tax person was here
It did the mash, it did the identity mash
The identity mash, it was a phishing smash
It did the mash, it caught my data in a flash
It did the mash, it did the identity mash
by Tom O’Saben, EA
Originally published October 28, 2019
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