Beware of e-mail tax refund scam

Scammers are now targeting taxpayers' tax refunds.

Francine A. Giani, executive director of the Utah Department of Commerce, said a new phishing e-mail scam uses "Department of the Treasury" to trick recipients into entering personal account information in order to get a make-believe tax refund.

The e-mail says the Treasury Department has determined the individual is entitled to a refund of $189.60 and sends them to a link to submit a refund request. Not surprisingly, since it's a scam, it asks for personal and financial information that can be used to commit fraud.

An investigator in the Utah Division of Consumer Protection found that the e-mail originates in Copenhagen and is fraudulent.

Giani hopes everyone will remember that the government never contacts people through e-mail regarding a tax refund or for account information.

More information about ways to protect consumers is online at www.consumerprotection.utah.gov. Or you can call 801-530-6601.

— Lois M. Collins