IRS 'economic stimulus scam' reported in Gainesville
By Scott Kimbler, Ken Stanford
GAINESVILLE - A scam the IRS warned has hit the Gainesville area: someone calling homes, saying he is with the IRS and asking for a bank account number so he can deposit your economic stimulus check for you.
A Gainesville recently fell for the scheme, later had second thoughts and contacted his bank asking that they do something to protect his account.
The Internal Revenue Service issued an alert a couple of weeks ago, warning that such scams were likely as it gets ready to send out those rebate checks in May.
IRS spokesman Mark Green said the agency does not contact people that way.
"Nor do we send out any unsolicited e-mails stating that you are due a refund," he said. "If you ever receive this type of information, nine times out of ten, it is a scam."
GB&T Vice President of Marketing Michelle Piucci said banks have safeguards in place for such events, but you must act quickly.
"The bank or the IRS would never initiate a phone call asking for such information," she said.
Green added law enforcement should always be called.
"Contact the Federal Trade Commission," he said. "Make sure you contact your credit bureau to make a fraud alert and give us a call."
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Posted: Friday, March 21st 2008 at 5:30am
