When you get an email saying 'Your tax refund has been denied due to suspicious activity' from what looks like the Internal Revenue Service, it can be alarming. The link in the email might take you to a site like v139vwty.r.us-east-1.awstrack.me, which seems official but is actually a phishing site impersonating the IRS.

This kind of scam has become all too common, with 16 reports of this particular site. The scammers are trying to trick you into giving them your personal and financial information, which they can then use for identity theft or to drain your bank account.

Here's how it typically works: the scammers send you an email that looks like it's from the IRS, saying there's a problem with your tax refund or that you owe back taxes. They might even threaten to arrest you or revoke your driver's license if you don't take immediate action. The email will often have a link or attachment that looks official, but is actually a way for the scammers to get malware onto your computer or steal your login credentials.

What to Look Out For

The scammers are getting more sophisticated, but there are still some red flags you can watch out for. For example, the email might say something like 'We have audited your tax return and found discrepancies. To avoid penalties, click here to verify your account.' Or, they might claim to be from the 'IRS Tax Refund Department' and ask you to confirm your personal and financial information.

Another example is an email that says 'You are eligible for a tax refund of $1,000. Click here to claim it.' These are all attempts to get you to let your guard down and click on a link or provide sensitive information.

It's also important to remember that the IRS will never initiate contact with you by email to ask for personal or financial information. If they need to get in touch with you, they'll do it by mail or phone, and they'll never threaten to arrest you or revoke your driver's license.

• The IRS will never ask you to pay your tax bill with a gift card or wire transfer.
• The IRS will never ask you to verify your account or provide sensitive information via email.
• The IRS will never threaten to arrest you or revoke your driver's license if you don't pay a tax bill immediately.

So what can you do to stay safe? First, be cautious of any email that creates a sense of urgency or panic. Take a deep breath and think twice before clicking on any links or providing any information. If you're ever in doubt, you can always contact the IRS directly to ask about the status of your tax refund or any other issue.

Your best bet is to simply delete any suspicious emails and not engage with the scammers. Don't let them get to you - you're in control. If you're concerned about your tax refund or have questions about your account, pick up the phone and call the IRS directly. They'll be happy to help you out and give you the peace of mind you deserve.