WASHINGTON - Economic stimulus checks have begun showing up in mailboxes, and the IRS has issued an alert that scam artists are actively making the rounds using the proposed rebates as bait. Among the scams:
Rebate Phone Call–Someone identifying himself as an IRS employee calls consumers and asks for bank account information for the direct deposit of the rebate. If the individual refuses, he is told that he cannot receive the rebate.
Refund e-mail–The bogus e-mail falsely claims to come from the IRS, tells the recipient that he or she is eligible for a tax refund and instructs the recipient to click on a link in the e-mail to access a refund claim form, which asks for personal data the scammers can then use.
Audit e-mail–This phony e-mail notifies the recipient that his or her tax return will be audited. The IRS does not send unsolicited, tax-account related e-mails to taxpayers.
Paper Check Phone Call–A caller claims to be an IRS employee who is calling because the IRS sent a check to the individual, and since the check has not been cashed, the IRS wants to verify the individual’s bank account number.
Changes to Tax Law e-Mail–This bogus e-mail is addressed to businesses, accountants, and “Treasury” managers. It instructs them to download information on tax law changes by clicking on a series of links to publications on businesses, estate taxes, excise taxes, exempt organizations, and IRAs and other retirement plans.
Individuals who receive a questionable e-mail or telephone call claiming to come from the IRS should forward the e-mail or describe the call in a message to phishing
