SPRINGFIELD – Con artists are trying to trick Ozarkers out of their tax rebate checks – and law enforcement officers say catching them is nearly impossible.

Federal rebate checks are on their way to bank accounts or mailboxes. A KY3 viewer told us about an e-mail message that directs people to a Web site with an Internal Revenue Service logo. The message mentions a problem getting the tax refund to the recipient. It’s the latest version of an all-too-familiar scam.

It’s called phishing because the crooks like to hook victims. The Missouri attorney general's office says this is phishing season.

With refunds anticipated, scammers pose as the IRS and ask people to correct their personal information to get their rebates.

Scammers know how to get your attention. It's just like the bank scams reported over the past months.

“Anytime you have a link or a phone number, be aware,” said Cindy Harding, an Empire Bank vice president who specializes in fraud control.

The scammers say the IRS needs your name, Social Security number, and bank account number to get your refund to you.

“Tere's no good reason to put it into the computer. The internet is anonymous; that's why it's good for stealing,” said Harding.

Computer software makes the scammers’ fake link appear to be the IRS Web site, so it may look official. But the IRS says it will never contact people to ask for personal information.

“The IRS won't ask for your information; they already have your information,” said Assistant Attorney General Ron Carrier.

It's important to look for typos in these fake e-mail messages or Web sites. The IRS finds many scams originate overseas. The Internet allows an evolution for crooks to get your money.

“It's not breaking into the back door; it's breaking into your bank account,” said Carrier.

The Web site linked in the e-mail message forwarded to KY3 News on Sunday night was either closed or moved by Monday. If you find a scam, forward the e-mail message to the Missouri attorney general's office, as well as the IRS (see links to their Web sites below).

Harding says there's no sign on this type of Internet scam going away. Carrier says, until companies place more guidelines on registering for a Web site domain, the crooks will continue to try to rob people. ----

IRS

Missouri attorney general's office