STAYING SAFE — “America’s Crime Prevention Column”
with
Bruce Mandelblit
We are currently in the middle of tax season, so you can be sure that sneaky criminals have devised numerous ways to try to scam hardworking Americans out of their hard-earned dollars, and even steal their personal information for ID theft.
For example, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued a press release alerting the public of two versions of these types of sneaky schemes.
This IRS press release warned taxpayers to beware of several current e-mail and telephone scams that use the IRS name as a lure.
For instance, the IRS cautioned taxpayers to be on the lookout for scams involving advance payment checks. The goal of the scams is to trick people into revealing personal and financial information, such as Social Security, bank account or credit card numbers, which the scammers can use to commit identity theft.
Typically, identity thieves use a victim’s personal and financial data to empty the victim’s financial accounts, run up charges on the victim’s existing credit cards, apply for new loans, credit cards, services or benefits in the victim’s name, file fraudulent tax returns or even commit crimes. Most of these fraudulent activities can be committed electronically from a remote location, including overseas. Committing these activities in cyberspace allows these scammers to act quickly and cover their tracks before the victim becomes aware of the theft.
People whose identities have been stolen can spend months or years, not to mentions hundreds or thousands of dollars, cleaning up the mess thieves have made of their reputations and credit records. In the meantime, victims may lose job opportunities, may be refused loans, education, housing or cars, or even get arrested for crimes they didn’t commit.
Tax Rebate Scam #1 – Rebate Phone Call
At least one scheme using the word “rebate” as part of the lure has been identified. In that scam, consumers receive a phone call from someone identifying himself as an IRS employee. The caller tells the targeted victim that he is eligible for a sizable rebate for filing his taxes early. The caller then states that he needs the target’s bank account information for the direct deposit of the rebate. If the target refuses, he is told that he cannot receive the rebate.
This phone call is a scam. The IRS does not force taxpayers to use direct deposit. Those who opt for direct deposit do so by completing the appropriate section of their tax return, with bank routing and account information, when they file. The IRS does not gather the information by telephone.
Tax Rebate Scam #2 – Refund E-Mail
The IRS has seen several variations of a refund-related bogus e-mail which falsely claims to come from the IRS, tells the recipient that he or she is eligible for a tax refund for a specific amount, and instructs the recipient to click on a link in the e-mail to access a refund claim form. The form asks the recipient to enter personal information that the scammers can then use to access the e-mail recipient’s bank or credit card account.
Again, this e-mail is a phony. The IRS does not send unsolicited e-mail about tax account matters to individual, business, tax-exempt or other taxpayers.
Filing a tax return is the only way to apply for a tax refund; there is no separate application form.
Those who have received a questionable e-mail claiming to come from the IRS may forward it to a mailbox the IRS has established to receive such e-mails, phishing@irs.gov. In addition, those who have received a questionable telephone call that claims to come from the IRS may also use the same e-mail mailbox to notify the IRS of the scam.
For more information on these tax rebate scams, visit the IRS website at: www.irs.gov.
My Final Thoughts: Millions and millions of Americans are, unfortunately, struggling with ever increasing unemplyment rates, a rough real estate market and an extremely tough economy, so it is outrageous that these cyber-thugs are lurking on the Internet, as well as using the phone, to try steal cash-strapped Americans’ identities. Always keep in mind, as a general rule, it is never a prudent idea to give out personal information to an unknown person either via e-mail or by telephone.
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Copyright 2010 by Bruce Mandelblit
Bruce is a nationally known security and safety journalist, as well as a recently retired, highly decorated reserve law enforcement officer.
Bruce blogs on www.CrimeZilla.com.
This column is provided for general information purposes only. Please check with your local law enforcement agency and legal professional for information specific to you and your jurisdiction.
The information in this article is provided “as is”, with all faults, expressed or implied. The author and/or publisher and/or copyright holder makes no guarantee regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information. In no event shall the author and/or publisher and/or copyright holder be liable for any incidental or consequential damages, punitive damages, lost profits, and/or any indirect damages.
