Los Angeles: The Michigan Department of Treasury recently received an alert from the Internal Revenue Service about a fraudulent scam being conducted via e-mail that the public should be on the look out for:

Some taxpayers have received an e-mail from a non-IRS source indicating that the taxpayer is under audit and needs to complete a questionnaire with 48 hours to avoid the assessment of penalties and interest. The e-mail refers to an "e-audit" and references IRS form 1040. The taxpayer is asked for social security numbers, bank account numbers and other confidential information. The IRS does not conduct e-audits, nor does it notify taxpayers of a pending audit via e-mail. This e-mail is not from the IRS. Do not provide the requested information-this may be an identity-theft attempt.

If you receive an e-mail of this nature, (the source may be the address: blesstheday.com), please contact the Internal Revenue Service office in your area.

This Media Advisory was prepared by Public Information Officer Jack Richter, Media Relations Section, 213-485-3586.