Carnahan warns Missourians about phony IRS e-mails

According to a news release from Carnahan’s office, the e-mail asks recipients for personal financial information, such as ATM personal identification numbers and debit card information.

An auditor in the Missouri Securities Division of Carnahan’s office received one of the unsolicited e-mails on her personal account.

“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 six to nine days in order to process,” the e-mail read.

The e-mail in question also asked for the electronic submission of a Social Security number, debit card number, card expiration date and the ATM PIN in order for the refund to be sent.

The fraudulent e-mail also displays an authentic IRS logo and has a similar Web site address.

Carnahan said Missourians should be on the lookout for this and other e-mail scams that attempt to gain access to personal financial information.

“I cannot 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,” Carnahan said in the release. “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.”