Paypal and the IRS????

[SIGNGUY]

Here is the email: it was from Paypal@paypal.com... no other gibberish... and didn't ask me to click on anything or stuff like that? so what would the advantage be of someone sending this as a scam, as they didn't ask me to do anything? HMMM..

Oh well, i'll just wait and see.

 
Notice of IRS Summons

Dear John Nelson,

PayPal has received a summons from the United States Internal Revenue Service requiring us to produce various account records, including data related to your PayPal account.   PayPal understands the summons relates to the IRS' offshore compliance program in which the IRS has sought information about offshore credit card accounts from a number of companies. 

Your privacy is extremely important to PayPal.  PayPal is obligated, however, to turn over the requested data.  PayPal has been ordered by the United States District Court for the Northern District of California to provide the information to the IRS, and PayPal expects to begin providing this information to the IRS on January 10, 2008.  The summons and court order both issue from the United States District Court in an action entitled: In The Matters of the Tax Liabilities of John Does, Case No. CV-05-04176-JW.

If you have any concerns about the disclosure of this information, you should consult with your tax or legal advisor.   You may have rights in connection with the summons, including the right to seek to prevent the IRS from obtaining some or all of the information.  The statute of limitations that limits the time in which the IRS may assert tax liabilities against you may be suspended beginning on the date which is six months after the IRS served the summons upon PayPal and continuing until PayPal finally resolves its response to the IRS.   See 26 U.S.C. § 7609(e)(2).   

PayPal cannot provide you with legal advice.  If you have questions concerning the summons and court order, we encourage you to contact the IRS, your tax advisor and/or your attorney.

If you wish to contact the Internal Revenue Service regarding this matter, they can be reached at (215) 516-4777. 

Thank You,

The PayPal Legal Team



Copyright© 2008 PayPal, Inc. All rights reserved.  PayPal is located at 2211 N. First St., San Jose, CA 95131 USA 
 

[MoonDawg]

       Wow John..........you're in trouble 


       



     Just kidding!
   
     Looks to me as it's just Paypal in hot water and IRS wants random samples of their
invoicing practices. Your name got drawn from a hat and Paypal was obligated to notify
you.
     As long as your bank is here in the USA you have nothing to worry about.

[dr galaga]

John-
You should forward the whole email to spoof@paypal.com.

[cormy]

Glad I don't have a pay pal account

[vend_dr]

I agree that if it is a real email that your name was chosen at random. I use Paypal quite often and did not receive that email.

[collecture]

The fact that they addressed you by your full name would indicate that it is a valid email. Wouldn't hurt to verify with PayPal the validity of the email. I am sure there is a contact email for this type matter on their website.

I agree with Moondawg though that if you do not have any offshore accounts, you probably have nothing to worry about, but, to be safe, possible consult your accountant or lawyer over the matter if necessary so you are prepared at least (if the email is valid).

[vend_dr]

I just google this Tax Liabilities of John Does, Case No. CV-05-04176-JW. and it seems many people have gotten that same email.

While reading some of the questions about this I came across this

We received an e-mail and called the phone number and it sounded official but the message machine was full. We did a reverse phone number search and the number comes back as a Verizon (Cell Phone) in PA. We then contacted the I.R.S. and it appears this is not legitimate. We can't find a US District Court case that matches the case number or the names. The IRS believes it is a phishing scheme and asks that you forward the e-mail to phishing@irs.gov
I would also suggest you forward it to spoof@paypal.com as well.
posted by sowder at 4:32 PM on January 3

Not sure what to make of it all.

[bubba]

wow... Thats amazing...           

[jasmine64]

Look around here and see what you can find.

http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=155682,00.html

[SIGNGUY]

Thanks all for the advice and the information... I haven't been loosing any sleep over it as of yet... as I am not that big of a user of it ... and I don't have any off shore accounts like Glen reffered to ... Either way... I appreciate the tips/advice and info on it.
It's amazing when we see something from IRS how all our ears perk up!!!