Scene and heard

I received an email today from an address stated simply as IRS. The title of the email also was only IRS. This suggested that their records show me to be a non-resident alien, and I am to fill in and fax a form either confirming or correcting this information.

I opened the form. It turns out that this is a modified version of a real form. However, it asks for bank account information, which the IRS would never do. Further, if the IRS wants to contact you, it will do so by snail mail, not email.

When you open this email, the address shows up as noreply@irs.gov. Out of curiosity, I hit the reply button and this address came up: info@nvinternational-ltd.com

For more information on this scam, please go to this website: http://myitforum.com/cs2/blogs/cmosby/archive/2009/04/22/fake-form-w-8ben-used-in-irs-tax-scams-trendlabs-malware-blog.aspx

And don’t just lie down and take it! This is a scam of the most heinous proportions, which makes the stupid letters we all get from Africa look like kids stuff. Forward whatever you receive to your State Attorney General’s Office. In New York, that is: internet_fraud@oag.state.ny.us

I was tempted to send a nasty email back to this scumbag, but didn’t want to tip him off. I want him to have a knock on his door from the Police, as he is taken into custody. I understand that this person may not live in New York or even the USA, but that should stop nobody from doing the right thing here.

DO NOT fill in and send off this form, or you will have enabled someone to steal your identity. DO report this email and let the law deal shut this person down.


Here is the form I was sent. Unfortunately, the formatting was not compatible with blogger:



FORM W-8BEN (NRA Recertification)
Request for Recertification of Foreign Status
W-8BEN Certificate of Foreign Status of Beneficial Owner
(Substitute form) For United States Tax Withholding
Part I Identification of Beneficial Owner
(JUNE 2009)
1. Name of individual or organization that is the beneficial owner
2. Sex: x male □ female
3. Type of beneficial owner □ Individual □ Corporation □ Complex Trust
□ Simple Trust □ Grantor Trust □ Central Bank of issue
□ Government □ International organization
□ Tax-exempt organization □ Private foundation
4. Date of Birth
5(a). Nationality: 5(b). Place of Birth:
6. Country of permanent Residence
7. Mothers Maiden Name:

8(a). Spouse Name: 8(b). Spouse date of Birth:
9.Permanent resident address (street, apt, or suite no, or rural route).Do not use a P.O.box or In-care of address

City or town, state or province, include postal code where appropriate
Country (do not abbreviate)
10. Mailing address (if different from above)

City or town, state or province, include postal code where appropriate
Country (do not abbreviate)
11. Social Security Number.(if any) / Cedular de Identidad no
□SSN or ITIN □EIN
12. Profession: 13.Day time phone/ fax Number
9. 14.(a) Bank Name(s):
15. Account number(s):
16. Branch Address:

17. Date Account(s) was opened:

18. How often do you come to USA and when did you arrive last?
19. ATTACH PHOTOCOPY OF PASSPORT FOR PROPER IDENTIFICATION
Part II Certification of Beneficiary Owner
Under penalties of perjury, I decided that I have examined the information on this form to the best of my knowledge and believe it is true, correct and complete.
I furthermore certify under penalties of perjury that:
. I am the beneficial owner (or am authorized to sign for the beneficial owner) of all the income to which this form relate.
. The beneficial owner is not a U.S person.
. The income to which this form relates is not effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the United States or is effectively connected but
subject to tax under an income tax treaty, and
. For broker transaction or barter exchanges, the beneficial owner is an exempt foreign person as defined in the instructions.
Furthermore, I authorized this form to be provided to any withholding agent that has control, receipt or custody of the income of which I am the beneficial owner or withholding agent that can disburse or make payments of the income of which I am the beneficial owner.
The Internal Revenue Service does not require your consent to any provisions of this document other than the Certifications required to establishing your status as a non-U.S person and, if applicable, obtain a reduced rate of withholding.

Sign Here ____________________________________________________ ___________________
(Signer #1) signature of beneficial owner or individual authorized to sign for beneficial owner Date

Sign Here ______________________________________________________ ___________________
(Signer #2) signature of beneficial owner or individual authorized to sign for beneficial owner Date

SEND TO FAX NO: +1-206-203-3379
JUNE 2009


Dear Sir,
Our records indicate that you are a non-resident alien. As a result, you are exempted from United States of America Tax reporting and withholdings, on interest paid you on your account and other financial dealing to protect your exemption from tax on your account and other financial benefit in rectifying your exemption status.

Therefore, you are to authenticate the following by completing form W-8BEN, and return to us as soon as possible through the fax number: +1-206-203-3379


If you are a USA Citizen and resident, this form W-8BEN is not meant for you, please indicate “USA Citizen/Resident” on the form and return it to us. We shall then send you a form W9095.

When completing form W-8BEN, please follow the steps below

1. We need you to provide your permanent address if different from the current mailing address on your Form W-8BEN , you must indicate if a non-USA resident, your country of origin to support your non-resident status (if your bank account or other financial dealing has a USA address for mailing purpose).

2. If any joint account holder are now USA residents or Citizen, or in any way subject to USA tax reporting laws, Please check the box in this section.

3. Please have all account holders, sign and date the form separately and fax it to the above-mentioned number.

Please, complete Form W-8BEN ‘attached” and return to us within 1 (one) week from the receipt of this letter by faxing it, to enable us update your records immediately if your account or any other financial benefits are not rectified in a timely manner, it will be subject to USA tax reporting and back up withholding (if back up withholding applies, we are required to withhold 30% of the interest paid to you).

We appreciate your cooperation in helping us protect your exempt status and also update our records.

Sincerely.