Vermont Attorney General Warns Of Fraudulent Tax Refund Email

February 11, 2008 - The Vermont Attorney General’s Office warns of a fraudulent email that is circulating soliciting information for processing a tax refund. “Never send a bank account number, credit or debit card or PIN number, or other personally identifying information through the internet unless you initiated the contact and know whom you are dealing with,” warns Attorney General Bill Sorrell.

The scam email is entitled “Tax Notification” and says: “After the last annual calculations of your fiscal activity we have determined that you are eligible to receive a tax refund of $184.80. Please submit the tax refund request and allow us 6-9 days in order to process it.” The email then provides a “personalized link” for your “tax refund request.”

If the scammers receive hits on the link for just a short period of time before the website is shut down, they may have valuable information for emptying bank accounts or using credit or debit cards.

If you have any questions about whether an email, letter or telephone call is legitimate, contact the Consumer Assistance Program at 1-800-649-2424. Check the Federal Trade Commission website for “Identity Theft” for steps to take if you feel your personal information may have been compromised.

Source: Vermont Attorney General