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Miami-Dade Consumer Services issues warning about Economic Stimulus Payment email Scam

MIAMI-DADE – As millions of Americans begin receiving their economic stimulus payments from the IRS, the Miami-Dade Consumer Services Department is warning consumers to beware of fraudulent phishing emails aimed at stealing people’s identity information.

Emails pretending to come from the IRS have been popping up in consumers’ inboxes, promising faster payment and, in some cases, additional money.

These official-looking emails may include a document reference number or provide a link to a website that closely resembles the IRS website. In some of the illegitimate emails, the email address ends in “.net” instead of “.gov.” In others, the “.gov” is listed, making it difficult to determine whether it is fraudulent. The purpose of these emails is to trick consumers into sending in their personal information, such as social security and bank account numbers that they can use for identity theft.

“Once criminals have this information, they can use it to open credit card accounts in their victim’s name, apply for loans and take all the money from their victim’s bank account,” said Miami-Dade Consumer Services Department Director Cathy Grimes Peel.

“We strongly advise consumers not to respond to any emails that supposedly come from the IRS, and never provide your personal information without verifying who is asking for it.”

The tell-tale signs of a scam

– The IRS will never call or email consumers for their social security number or bank account information.

– They will never send a letter asking consumers to respond by phone or email.

– They will never come to one’s home.

– You should never pay a fee to get your payment.

The IRS only uses mail to try and reach people, but they do not ask for personal details. Bank account information, for example, is obtained only from consumers’ tax returns for direct deposit of refunds.

Stimulus payments started going out at the end of April, and payments will continue on a weekly basis through mid-July. According to the IRS, the stimulus payments are sent automatically to eligible taxpayers who filed a 2007 tax return. Taxpayers do not need to take any additional action to receive the payment. To find out when you will receive your payment, log on to the IRS website at www.irs.gov and click on “Where’s my refund?”

To report a fraudulent email, forward the email to [email protected] . Visit http://www.irs.gov/privacy/article/0,,id=179820,00.html for specific instructions on how to forward the phishing e-mail. The IRS can use the information, URLs and links in the suspicious e-mails you forward to trace the hosting website and alert authorities to help shut down the fraudulent sites.

The Miami-Dade Consumer Services Department investigates and mediates consumer complaints, enforces the County’s consumer protection laws and business regulations, and licenses certain businesses. Visit www.miamidade.gov/csd for information on consumer protection laws and department services or call the Consumer Mediation Center at (305) 375-3677.

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