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Scam Artist Use Economic Stimulus Rebate as Bait
As the economic stimulus checks start going out and the IRS continues
their efforts to reach individuals who may still be eligible for these
payments, be aware that scam artists are actively making the rounds
using the proposed rebates as bait. The following scams have recently
brought to the attention of the IRS:
Rebate Phone Call
At
least one scheme using the word “rebate” as part of the lure has been
identified. In that scam, consumers receive a phone call from someone
identifying himself as an IRS employee. The caller tells the targeted
victim that he is eligible for a sizable rebate for filing his taxes
early. The caller then states that he needs the target’s bank account
information for the direct deposit of the rebate. If the target
refuses, he is told that he cannot receive the rebate.
Refund e-mail
The
IRS has seen several variations of a refund-related bogus e-mail which
falsely claims to come from the IRS, tells the recipient that he or she
is eligible for a tax refund for a specific amount, and instructs the
recipient to click on a link in the e-mail to access a refund claim
form. The form asks the recipient to enter personal information that
the scam artist can then use to access the e-mail recipient’s bank or
credit card account.
Audit e-mail
Using
a technique calculated to get almost anyone’s attention, the e-mail
notifies the recipient that his or her tax return will be audited. This
is the first scam of which the IRS is aware that uses this to get the
victim to respond. This e-mail is a phony. The IRS does not send
unsolicited, tax-account related e-mails to taxpayers.
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.
Paper Check Phone Call
In
a current telephone scam, a caller claims to be an IRS employee who is
calling because the IRS sent a check to the individual contacted. The
caller states that because the check has not been cashed, the IRS wants
to verify the individual’s bank account number. The caller may have a
foreign accent.
What to Do
Those
who have received a questionable e-mail claiming to come from the IRS
may forward it to a mailbox the IRS has established to receive such
e-mails, phishing@irs.gov, using instructions contained in an article
titled “How to Protect Yourself from Suspicious E-Mails or Phishing
Schemes.” Following the instructions will help the IRS track the
suspicious e-mail to its origins and shut down the scam.
Those
who have received a questionable telephone call that claims to come
from the IRS may also use the phishing@irs.gov mailbox to notify the
IRS of the scam.
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