The Topeka Capital-Journal, May 14, 2008
MANHATTAN — The Riley County Police Department is warning citizens of an e-mail "phishing" scam aimed at people expecting to receive payments under the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008.
Detective Dustin Weiszbrod said citizens should be on the lookout for an e-mail purportedly from the Internal Revenue Service advising the recipient to set up the direct deposit of their economic stimulus payment. The fraudulent e-mail includes a hyperlink to a fraudulent form requesting personal information, including bank account information.
Phishing is an attempt to criminally and fraudulently acquire personal or financial information by masquerading as a trustworthy entity in an electronic communication.
The RCPD said the IRS doesn't initiate taxpayer communications via e-mail or ask taxpayers for PIN numbers, passwords or similar confidential information. Police recommend not opening e-mails from unknown senders and avoid clicking links in e-mails from unknown senders. Individuals who have received e-mails they believe to be fraudulent attempts to acquire personal information may notify the Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov.
For additional information related to the issuance of Economic Stimulus Checks, visit the IRS Web site at www.IRS.gov or call (866) 234-2942.