The IRS is warning taxpayers to be aware of e-mail and telephone scams on advance payment checks that use the IRS name as a lure. The goal of the scams is to trick you into giving personal information, such as identification numbers and bank account numbers, to scammers who can then use the information to commit identity theft. Remember, the IRS never sends unsolicited e-mails about tax matters to you. The IRS also never calls you for information about your tax situation. If you are concerned that you may have been a victim of a scam, you may send the suspicious e-mail to phishing@irs.gov or contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040.

This article is from the March 2008 issue of Looking Out for Your Legal Rights^®.