Consumer Fraud Alert!

First posted on 11-08-2007

Carnahan Warns Missourians about Phony IRS E-Mail Identity Theft Scam

Jefferson city, Missouri — Missouri Secretary of State Robin Carnahan issued a warning to Missourians regarding unsolicited e-mails about tax refunds appearing to come from the Internal Revenue Service. The e-mail asks recipients for personal financial information such as ATM pin numbers and debit card information.

An auditor in the Missouri Securities Division of the Office of Secretary of State recently received a copy of one of the unsolicited e-mails on her personal account, telling her that, “After the last annual calculations of your fiscal activity we have determined that you are eligible to receive a tax refund of $109.30. Please submit the tax refund request and allow us 6-9 days in order to process it.”

The e-mail in question asks the recipient to electronically submit a social security number, debit card number, the card expiration date and the card ATM pin so that the refund can supposedly be sent. Missourians should be on the lookout for this and other e-mail scams attempting to get personal financial information.

“I can not stress enough how important it is that you don’t, under any circumstances, give out your personal information without verifying the source of any unsolicited e-mail or telephone call,” said Carnahan. “If an organization or company contacts you, tell them you will get back with them and look up their contact information to ensure they are not scam artists trying to steal your information.”

The fraudulent email displays an authentic IRS logo and uses a similar website address.

For more information regarding investments and fraud protection, visit the Secretary of State’s online Missouri Investor Protection Center at http://www.MissouriSafeSavings.com or call the toll free investor hotline at 1-800-721-7996.