7. Scammers Try to Steal Tax Rebates

ABCNews—May 2, 2008: With the billions of dollars coming out for tax rebates… creates a billion reasons for scammers to try to steal your money and even your identity, if you aren’t careful.

According to Good Morning America on ABC News, May 2, 2008, tax refunds are already in the mail and the Internal Revenue Service has begun delivering those rebate checks designed to kick-start the economy.

Edna Lawrence got several phone calls about a refund, but she knew the callers were not the IRS. “If you’re from the IRS and you owe me a check, you mail it to me,” she said, “because the IRS does not call you on the phone.”

Good job… Edna! If you get a call like that, hang up. If you get an e-mail like that, delete it. Most often, scammers use phone calls and e-mails to secure the information they need. The e-mails often come with nice IRS logos and tell you to click on a link that will allow you “to access the form for your tax refund.” But, if you do click—your personal information could be up for grabs.

Doug Shulman, IRS commissioner, confirmed that the IRS does not call or e-mail citizens. “We are never going to call you. We’re never going to e-mail you and ask for personal information.” Shulman said that scamming is a far-reaching problem, with reports coming in from all around the country. “They generally have your name, address, phone number and social security number, but the only thing they usually don’t have is your bank account numbers.

ABC News consumer correspondent Elizabeth Leamy advised taxpayers to be cautious and offered these tips:

• Never give out any personal information, whether it’s by e-mail or phone.
• If you receive one of the phishing e-mails, don’t respond to it. And, you can help the government stop future scams by forwarding any suspicious e-mails to phishing@irs.gov.
• Keep in mind that banks and government agencies rarely communicate with their customers / citizens via e-mail. If in doubt, call the entity in question and ask whether it sent you an e-mail.
• Be on the lookout for poor spelling and grammar. Many identity thieves are foreigners who mangle the English language.
• Only provide financial information when you have initiated the contact, whether by e-mail or by phone.

Source: By Vanessa Weber, Mike Callahan and Stephanie Dahle, ABC News Internet Ventures.