Reply #40: Don't Fall Victim To a Stimulus Check Scam [View All]

[AnneD]

The government is ahead of schedule and sending out tax rebate checks early. However, scam artists are never off the clock, and with some 111 million homes eligible for a cash infusion, some crooks are seeking to profit on the impatience of American taxpayers this spring.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) began mailing economic stimulus payments April 28 but not everyone will get their money at the same time. A person's social security number, and whether they chose to get their check through direct deposit or the mail, will determine when they actually receive the funds. However, the IRS is also warning taxpayers of a number of scams taking place in which con artists looking to steal money are urging people to reveal personal information.

Some of the scams involve email messages while others take place over the phone. However, the IRS generally communicates with people via letters in the mail. So, an email or phone call should be a red flag.

One phone scam reportedly works like this: Taxpayers receive a call from someone who claims to work for the IRS, then the con artist prompts the victim to reveal bank account information and Social Security numbers by insisting that it will speed processing of their stimulus payment. Jay Foley, founder of ID Theft Resource Center, says that this information request should also raise your suspicions. According to Foley, "no legitimate business will ever ask for personal information over the phone or in an email."

more.....

http://mainstreet.com/dont-fall-victim-stimulus-check-scam

I thought think the whole stimulus package is a scam...but that's another story.:evilgrin: