IRS says don't respond to rebate e-mail scam

The Internal Revenue Service is warning taxpayers about the fraudulent use of the IRS name or logo by scammers trying to steal their identity and assets.

"We're getting reports of people receiving official looking e-mail that claims to come from the IRS," said IRS spokesperson Michael Devine.

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He said the scam e-mail instructs the recipient to open a link or attachment to get their 2008 Economic Stimulus Payment or tax refund.

According to Devine, if you open a link or attachment in a scam e-mail you should scan your computer for viruses and spyware. You should also be alert for suspicious activity on your financial accounts because you may have downloaded malicious software.

He said everyone needs to remember:

* The IRS never sends unsolicited e-mails about your taxes.

* The IRS never sends e-mail asking for personal and financial information, such as social security, bank account, credit card, or pin numbers.

* Filing a 2007 federal tax return is all you needed to do to get a stimulus payment if you're eligible.

Taxpayers can help the IRS stop scammers by sending the original scam e-mail to phishing@irs.gov. The e-mail must be forwarded using special instructions at www.irs.gov or it loses the encoding needed to track it to its source.

For more information about tax scams, visit www.irs.gov and click on Phishing and e-mail Scams, or type Identity Theft in the key word search feature for more information.

Such scams take many forms. Safety officials say never give out personal information requested by e-mail or phone.