By Brian Heap (WICHITA, Kan.)
Talk of tax refunds and economic stimulus are the driving force behind the latest IRS related scams on the internet.
An e-mail circulating titled "Making Work Pay" features an IRS logo and claims you are entitled to a tax credit as part of the federal government's economic stimulus package. The e-mail asks for personal information before the check can be sent. Such a tax break does exist, but IRS officials said the money was not being sent in a lump sum.
"What we called the recovery rebate credit actually was coming in your paychecks. The employers were changing their withholding so you got a little bit more each payday," said IRS spokeswoman Marian Adams.
Another scam says taxpayers are eligible for a tax refund of more than $300. You are assigned a bogus refund number. To claim the money, you must complete and submit an online form that asks for sensitive information, including your mother's maiden name and credit card number.
