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'IRS Refund' E-Mail A Scam, Officials Say

IRS Will Never Ask For Information Via E-mail, Spokesman Says

POSTED: 7:29 pm EST January 29, 2008
UPDATED: 12:05 pm EST January 30, 2008

With tax time here, scammers are looking to cheat taxpayers out of their money.

According to Lancaster, Pa., station WGAL, an e-mail is going around that claims to be from the IRS. It's official-looking with an IRS logo, and it tells the recipient that he or she has a tax refund coming.

The e-mail claims that "after the last annual calculations of your fiscal activity -- you're eligible for a refund of several hundred dollars." The e-mail provides a link to click where the recipient is asked to enter his or her bank account information. The e-mail indicates that the refund money will be put into the account, but it is really just a ruse to steal a victim's financial information.

The IRS urges taxpayers to remember that it will only contact them through the mail or in person.

"We never ever send out an e-mail. It won't happen. We don't ask for that kind of financial information. The scammers are using more slick graphics lifted right off our Web site," said IRS spokesman David Stewart.

In fact, one should never reveal personal or financial information in an e-mail that directs to another Web site.

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