Tax Rebate Plan Scams Already Appearing

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Scams started appearing even before Congress approved the federal economic stimulus plan that will provide tax rebate checks. In some areas of the country, consumers are receiving phone calls from scammers claiming to be from the IRS. The scammers say that they need the consumers' social security and bank account numbers in order to send their rebate checks or to directly deposit their rebate checks. If you receive any such call, give no information and report the call to the authorities.

The IRS (or any other government agency) does NOT ask for such personal information over the phone or through email. To receive the rebate check, most of those who qualify will not have to do anything more than file their 2007 individual tax return. The IRS provides more information about tax rebate and refund scams and stimulus payments on their website.

Breaking news analysis prepared for Corning CU by Remar Sutton & Associates, updated February 28, 2008.