WASHINGTON   –  U.S. Representative Jo Ann Emerson (MO-08) asked residents of the Eighth Congressional District to be on the lookout for scam artists offering to help citizens obtain tax refunds or rebates by e-mail.  The message, which uses Internal Revenue Service (IRS) logos and looks legitimate, directs recipients to a website where they are asked for their Social Security and bank account or ATM numbers.

“Not only would the IRS never ask for this information by e-mail, it’s never a good idea to submit this kind of personal information over the Internet unless you are 100 percent sure you are dealing with a legitimate person on the other end,” Emerson said.  “If the IRS needs to notify you of a refund, they will never do so by telephone or e-mail.”

This scam, the IRS says, purports to deposit a refund in a bank account or credit it to a charge card, but the criminals actually do the opposite by making withdrawals or charging purchases to their victims.

“Identity theft is a very serious problem that can cause financial damage and ruin your credit, so please be wary of scams like this one.  These criminals often prey on people who are unfamiliar with the Internet or e-mail, so bring this matter to the attention of everyone in your family who goes online,” Emerson added.

Suspicious e-mail can be reported to the IRS by forwarding it to the IRS at phishing@irs.gov where the IRS will investigate it.

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