Consumers should be aware of scam

Texans should be aware of a scam that has emerged in connection with the proposed federal economic stimulus package. Under recently passed legislation, the IRS will mail tax rebate checks to eligible Texans over the next few months. President George W. Bush recently signed the package into law.

Several Texans have filed complaints with the Office of the Attorney General after receiving unsolicited e-mails and telephone calls from purported IRS agents claiming the taxpayers are eligible for "Bush refunds." Scammers demand taxpayers' Social Security and bank account numbers, claiming the IRS will use the information to directly deposit "rebate checks" into the taxpayers' accounts.

This is outright identity theft, said Greg Abbott, Texas attorney general.

"The IRS does not call or e-mail taxpayers unexpectedly to demand personal information for direct deposits. Taxpayers solicited in this manner should just hang up or delete the e-mail."

Texans who have received these solicitations can file a complaint with the IRS at www.irs.gov or can call (800) 829-1040. Consumers also can report calls to the attorney general's office at www.oag.state. tx.us.