SCAM ALERT: Phony E-mail Promising Additional Economic Stimulus Refund Money

First of all, did you hear about the talks that a second stimulus check is coming this year? This report says it is really being "considered" by Washington leaders.

On to our main topic: Earlier this year, I wrote about the stimulus checks. Now comes the double check incident & a scam to watch out for.

Some Americans are getting second checks (duplicate amount as the first one) by mistake. The bottomline: If it's for a duplicate amount, don't cash it until you've checked if it's not a mistake. The IRS will get it back from you at some point. Here's what to do if you get a duplicate check.

But there are taxpayers who will accurately get a second check starting this month if their "original stimulus payment did not include a payment for their eligible child," according to the IRS.

The two things above are just for some of us, but here's what's going to affect a lot of us: stimulus payment scams.

Today, I got the e-mail (above image). It's official-looking, all right, except for that "Best Regards" gaffe. It said:

"The fastest and easiest way to receive your full refund is by direct deposit to your checking/savings account,as payments continue on a weekly schedule through July.

To properly receive your full refund, fill out the form below and submit before July 24th, 2008 to ensure that your refund will be processed as soon as possible."

I knew it was a scam because the Internal Revenue Services NEVER requests detailed personal information through e-mail, and does not send e-mail requesting your PIN numbers, passwords or similar access information for credit cards, banks or other financial accounts.

When you get the same e-mail, DON'T click on the link. Immediately forward it to the IRS scam reporting email address: phishing@irs.gov.

Here are more info from the government on these types of scam.