News Release - McCollum Warns Floridians About Phony IRS Email Scam

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Attorney General Bill McCollum News Release

May 22, 2008

Media Contact: Sandi Copes
Phone: (850) 245-0150

McCollum Warns Floridians About Phony IRS Email Scam

TALLAHASSEE, FL – Attorney General Bill McCollum today issued a consumer advisory, warning Floridians about a "phishing" scam claiming to be associated with the Internal Revenue Service's Economic Stimulus offer. Members of the Attorney General's staff recently received an email from a service purporting to be the IRS, asking recipients to click on an internet link to verify personal information. However, the IRS does not send e-mails asking for personal information to process refunds or to claim their economic stimulus funds and consumers are urged not to comply with the email's request.

"Scammers and con artists can use technology to replicate legitimate-looking services, but Floridians should not be fooled," said Attorney General McCollum. "Informed and educated consumers can better protect themselves from falling prey to these schemes."

The email, copied below, used a server claiming to be affiliated with the IRS to bolster its appearance of authenticity. These communications seek to lure taxpayers into supplying names, social security numbers, credit card information and other personal identification information. Consumers can visit the agency's website at http://www.IRS.gov for more information, but should never provide any personal information to an email claiming to be from the IRS.

Attorney General McCollum offered the following recommendations to consumers in order for them to avoid falling prey to tax-time scammers:

- Never give out personal identification information to anyone who is soliciting money or who is claiming to represent the IRS without the appropriate credentials.

- Do not respond to e-mails asking for information relating to refunds or the economic stimulus refund. The IRS's website is the legitimate source for checking on refund status.

- Do not let anyone purporting to be an agent for the IRS into your home unless he or she has proper identification.

Consumers who believe they may be victims of fraud may contact the Attorney General's fraud hotline at 1-866-9-NO-SCAM (1-866-966-7226) or file a complaint online at http://myfloridalegal.com.

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From: *****@irs.gov <*****@irs.gov>
Subject: Get 2008 Economic Stimulus Refund ( $1800 )
To:
Date:

Over 130 million Americans will receive refunds as part of President Bush 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 click on the link and fill out the form and submit before May 17th, 2008 to ensure that your refund will be processed as soon as possible.

Submitting your form on May 17th, 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.