06/15/2008

News / Markell Warns Delawareans Not To Fall For Federal Stimulus Scams

Delaware State Treasurer Jack Markell issued a warning to Delawareans Tuesday about a scam that could dupe taxpayers out of their federal stimulus checks.

The FBI has reported that spam emails are circulating, claiming to be from the Internal Revenue Service, which try to lure consumers into directly depositing their stimulus checks into the bank accounts of scam artists. The e-mail threatens that the delivery of the checks will be delayed if consumers do not follow the links in the e-mail, which would purportedly assist them in setting up their direct deposits.

Markell reminded Delawareans that the IRS won't ask for their pin number or any other type of confidential access information for your financial accounts, especially via e-mail.

"Delawareans should be wary of e-mails from addresses you don't know claiming to have the backing of the government," Markell said. "If the IRS wants to get in touch with you, they won't initiate the contact by e-mail."

This scam is the latest in a series fraudulent e-mails using IRS addresses to trick taxpayers. It is common for these frauds to peak during tax season, but this scam was spurred by the recent announcement of the delivery of the economic stimulus checks.

"Many people are unfamiliar with the protocol that IRS is using to deliver the stimulus checks," Markell said. "They've heard direct deposit is an option, and that direct deposit will give them their money faster. It makes sense to be tempted by the offer made in these fake e-mails-but we need to recognize them for what they are: frauds."

http://treasurer.delaware.gov/documents/2008/06-10-08-StimulusScam.shtml

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