FBI Warns of Tax Rebate ID Theft Scam
The email, purportedly from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), advises the recipient that direct deposit is the fastest and easiest way to receive their economic stimulus tax rebate. The message contains a web link to a fake form which requests the recipient's personally identifiable information, including bank account information. To convince the victim to reply, the email warns that a failure to complete the form in a timely manner will delay the issuance of the rebate check.
One example of this IRS spam email message is as follows:
- "Over 130 million Americans will receive refunds as part of President Bush's program to jumpstart the economy.
Our records indicate that you are qualified to receive the 2008 Economic Stimulus Refund.
The fastest and easiest way to receive your refund is by direct deposit to your checking/savings account.
Please follow the link and fill out the form and submit before May 10th, 2008 to ensure that your refund will be processed as soon as possible.
Submitting your form on May 10th, 2008 or later means that your refund will be delayed due to the volume of requests we anticipate for the Economic Stimulus Refund.
To access Economic Stimulus refund, please click here."
There are more than one version of the spam email, but they are all similar to the above.
"Various forms of online fraud continue to proliferate on the internet and people should take the appropriate precautions to protect themselves," said Special Agent Richard J. Kolko, FBI National Press Office, in a press release.
More Tax Rebate Resources
Tax Rebate Information Directory
IRS Publishes 2008 Tax Rebate Check Details
IRS Launches Tax Rebate Information Center
Rebate-only Tax Filers May Now File for Free
Will I Have to Pay Taxes On My Rebate?
To Get $300 Rebate, Kids Must Have SS Number
SSI and the Tax Rebate Checks
What if I Filed Before the Tax Rebate was Approved?
Tax Rebate Checks Become Scammer's "Bait"
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