The FBI has issued a consumer alert: scam artists are sending out bogus e-mail and making phony phone calls while pretending to be with the Internal Revenue Service.

The bad guys are offering to help you get your refund more quickly if you give them all your personal information. That's a bad idea. If you fall for the scams, you could lose more than just money.

Con artists picked the wrong person when they called Edna Lawrence.

"Once he asked me for my checking account number I knew that my social number would be the next thing he asked for. He wasn't about to get either one," she said.

Lawrence says she got about eight calls from a guy claiming to be from the IRS. He said he had a rebate check for her and wanted her banking information so he could direct deposit the check.

"He just said we were owed $400 and we were to receive it back, and that was the only way we could get it," said Lawrence.

"If they can call 200 people in one day and can get 5,10 individuals that will provide them with their personal identification numbers and social security and date of births and banking information, they have had a successful day," said Kevin Kolbye with the FBI.

The scammers are also sending out e-mails. The goal is the same: to try to get you to give them your personal information.

You just knew it would happen. The first government rebate checks have just been issued, and already Internet scammers are trying to cash in on them.

The e-mail, which looks like it's from the IRS, says you are qualified to receive the 2008 economic stimulus refund.

"The fastest and easiest way to receive your refund," it says, "is by direct deposit to your checking/savings account."

The e-mail instructs you to follow the link and fill out the form by May 10, 2008 to ensure that your refund will be processed as soon as possible.

Don't do it. Don't click on the line. If you get this e-mail, delete it. It's not from the IRS and it has nothing to do with your rebate check.

"If you get one of these things out of the blue, the best thing you can do is delete it and report that to the FBI," said special agent Richard Kolko.

Because if you click on the link, you'll be asked for your personal information, including social security number. Crooks can use this information to steal more than your rebate; they can use it to steal your identity.

It's also possible that if you click on the link, malicious software will be downloaded onto your computer. It may be software that can help an identity thief steal your personal information.

"(These scams are) allowing these scams artists to get into people's bank accounts, credit cards, identity theft, a series of different crimes," said Kolko.

By the way, cyber thieves like to pretend they're the IRS because they know that an e-mail that looks like it's from the IRS will get your attention. But remember that the IRS never sends unsolicited e-mail.

"The IRS, the FBI, other government agencies do not send out unsolicited e-mails asking for personal information," Kolko said.

More Information:

When will I get my rebate payment?

Rebate Payment Center