Tax Rebate Checks

The FBI has issued a warning that scammers are out to intercept the economic stimulus checks from the IRS. According to the FBI, fake e-mails are being sent to individuals informing them that the quickest and easiest way they can get the refund is by direct deposit to their bank account.

The message then asks the recipient to follow a link provided, fill out a form, and submit before May 10.

The fake message then warns that those who fail to submit their form before May 10 will experience delays in receiving their refunds because of the anticipated huge volume of requests for the rebates.

Those who click the link are asked to provide personal information, including bank account data. The scammers then withdraw the money from the account.

The IRS has also described the most recent scams that use the IRS name as bait:

* Phone call about rebates. Scammers identify themselves as IRS employees on the phone. They say the target is eligible for a sizable rebate and then asks for bank account data so the rebate can be deposited directly. When the target hesitates, the caller says he/she will not receive the rebate.

In fact, the IRS does not ask for bank account information by telephone. You provide the data in your tax return. IRS also does not compel people to use direct deposit; you select that option when you file.

* E-mail about refunds. Aside from the approach described above, scammers are also targeting tax-exempt organizations. In fact, the IRS does not discuss tax account matters with any taxpayer through unsolicited e-mail.

* E-mail warning about IRS audits. The fake e-mail says that the recipient’s tax return is about to be audited. The unique feature of the message, which makes it different from usual spam or scam e-mail, is that it has a salutation directly addressing the recipient by his/her name. It then instructs the addressee to click on links to fill out audit forms, which an innocuous request for personal and bank account data. In fact, the IRS does not handle tax audits by unsolicited e-mail.

* Phone call to follow-up check encashment. A caller claiming to be from the IRS tells the target that the agency sent a rebate check, which so far has not been cashed. Because of that, the caller says the IRS wants to check if it has the correct bank account number of the target.

In fact, IRS does not verify bank account information the taxpayer provides on the tax return.

The FBI advises consumers that IRS never initiates communications by e-mail, nor does it request for personal information details, like passwords or pin numbers, through e-mail.