Mar 2, 2006 9:34 pm US/Eastern
IRS Issues Warning About Bogus Refunds
Before you give out any personal information to anyone claiming to be from the IRS, make sure the IRS is really trying to get in touch with you by calling their information hotline: 1-800-829-1040
by Yvonne Zanos
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) ―
The Internal Revenue Service is warning taxpayers about a new scam that could cost them plenty.
As KDKA Consumer Editor Yvonne Zanos explains, con artists are using bogus tax refunds to "phish" for unsuspecting taxpayers' money and personal information.
The scheme tries to trick people into giving personal and financial information through an email claiming that he or she is eligible for a tax refund. To collect this bogus refund, the recipient is told to click on a link within the email.
But Special Agent Andy Hromoko warns not to take the bait or "very shortly, your bank account is probably going to be emptied."
Hromoko says the email is part of a phishing expedition – an Internet Scheme to steal people's money and their identity.
Hromoko says the IRS does not send emails to taxpayers – especially unsolicited ones – asking for any private information.
This scam isn't limited to the Internet.
"There are now individuals," Hromoko explains, "calling taxpayers and telling them that they are either one getting to get another refund or that the government has additional funds to give them. The individual on the telephone is asking the taxpayer again for banking information and social security numbers."
So what can you do to protect yourself?
Before you give out any personal information to anyone claiming to be from the IRS, you should call the well known, well-established IRS information number: 1-800-829-1040 -- and ask if the IRS is really trying to get in touch with you.
Click on the links below for more help:
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