I am personally seeing an increase this month of reports from local taxpayers, tax practitioners and members of the media who are receiving e-mails that appear to be from the IRS.

Remember: The IRS does not ever initiate contact using e-mail. If you get an unsolicited e-mail that appears to come from the IRS, it is definitely a fake and may be dangerous. 

Read below to avoid possible damage to your computer or the threat of identity theft.

Warnings and instructions for recipients of these fake e-mails: