IRS: Criminals target economic stimulus payments

Staff Reports
May 9, 2008

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The United States Attorney's office, the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration and the Internal Revenue Service are asking for help to stop illegal e-mail schemes targeting taxpayer's economic stimulus payments, according to a press release from the Department of Justice and IRS.

Criminals are using "phising" e-mails, which appear to come from the IRS and request personal or financial information. The e-mails appear legitimate bearing the IRS official logo, and deal with tax refunds, audit notices, un-cashed treasury checks and economic stimulus payments, according to the press release.

Often the e-mails provide a link to enter personal information as to defraud businesses and individuals of their money.

"No credible or reputable business will ask you for your personal identification information," said Troy A. Eid, United States Attorney for the District of Colorado, in the press release.

Those who have received a questionable e-mail claiming to come from the IRS may forward it, unaltered, to the IRS at phishing@irs.gov, or go to www.irs.gov and click on the bottom of the first page "Phishing and E-mail Scams". For those who believe they have fallen victim to such a scheme, report the incident to TIGTA at 1-800-366-4884.