IRS warning taxpayers about tax rebate scams

Beware tax rebate scams.

With tax season beginning, the IRS is warning tax filers about e-mail and phone scams using the IRS name to push unsolicited advance payment tax return checks.

Such scams use a proposed tax rebate, which has not yet been approved by Congress, to lure people into giving personal financial information such as Social Security, bank account or credit card numbers.

The IRS never sends unsolicited e-mail and never gathers information by phone. Do not give out personal information over the phone or via e-mail to persons identifying themselves as IRS agents.

A new scam that comes by e-mail tells the taxpayer that they are going to be audited and to fill out forms with personal information. Do not fill out such forms, even if the e-mail is personalized with your name.

All IRS Web sites start with http://www.irs.gov. Do not click on links in supposed e-mails from scammers who say they’re from the IRS as these links can make you download malicious software that could open you up to identity theft.

In still another scam, a person calling who says they’re from the IRS could tell you that a check they sent you was not cashed and that they want to verify your bank account information. Do not give it to them. Again, the IRS does not contact taxpayers via phone to collect personal information.

For more information, read Monday's Action Line in the Tribune.