PA Attorney General warns of tax refund scams

Because I am lazy and tired, I am just going to post something that Michelle sent to me yesterday.

The original version of this can be found here. Once again I am seeking the answer to one of life's great questions: how the hell did the Pennsylvania Attorney General score a website called attorneygeneral.gov?

Consumer Advisory: Attorney General Corbett cautions PA consumers about tax refund scams

HARRISBURG — Attorney General Tom Corbett today urged consumers to be watchful for email messages or telephone calls from scam artists requesting personal information in order to “process” your tax refund. The email messages or callers often claim to be from the Internal Revenue Service, the U.S. Social Security Administration or other government agency.

“Con artists have always been very good at using current events to make their scams more convincing,” Corbett said. “Proposals by federal and state lawmakers to provide extra tax refunds to consumers as a way of stimulating the economy are the subject of daily news reports across the country and identity thieves are using these stories as a disguise for their scams.”

Corbett explained that the refund-related scams typically ask consumers to provide their social security number, bank account information, birth date, address and other personal information in order to “verify” or submit a claim for additional federal or state tax refunds.

“Scam artists can quickly generate email messages or links to bogus websites that mimic authentic government or business sites, complete with logos, images and other information that consumers would expect to find on ‘official’ sites,” Corbett said. “Additionally, scam callers often use carefully crafted scripts which are designed to convince consumers that they are being contacted by a legitimate agency.”

Corbett noted that federal and state agencies do not request personal information – such as social security numbers or bank account information – by telephone or email, and do not process refund requests in this manner.

“By now, most consumers have heard discussion about the plans to distribute additional tax refunds, but many still do not understand how the process will work,” Corbett said. “Scam artists are hoping to catch consumers off-guard, using the attraction of extra refunds along with the fear of ‘missing out’ to convince consumers to hand over their personal information without thinking.”

Corbett said scam emails and phone messages can come in many different forms, appearing to be from government agencies, banks, credit card companies or major businesses. In addition, con artists often use major news stories to lend credibility to their schemes, ranging from government programs and business mergers to holidays and natural disasters.

Corbett said that consumers should be wary of any call or email requesting personal information, especially when the message warns of dire consequences if consumers do not respond quickly. He also cautioned against using links or telephone numbers included in suspicious messages, explaining that those links or phone numbers may connect consumers to the scam artists rather than official agencies.

Corbett recommended that consumers avoid replying to possible scams. Instead, he encouraged consumers contact agencies, banks or businesses directly – using telephone numbers or addresses listed in published directories or other verified sources, such as toll-free numbers listed on official government forms, bank statements or credit card bills.

Consumers with questions or concerns about possible scams, or other consumer problems, can contact the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Hotline at 1-800-441-2555.

Consumer tips, scam alerts, background information and online complaint forms are also available on the Attorney General’s website: www.attorneygeneral.gov.