Economic Stimulus Checks Bring Potential for Scammers - KCBD NewsChannel 11 Lubbock

Just a day after government stimulus payments started going out, the IRS is warning of possible scams.

"Some folks are getting calls from people claiming to be from the Internal Revenue Service," said Clay Sanford, an IRS spokesman. "They're offering some type of rebate information in return for checking account numbers or Visa or Mastercard numbers. I want to remind folks we absolutely do not ask for banking information over the telephone."

Sanford says people should also be wary of realistic looking emails too, complete with IRS logos.

More than $800,000 direct deposits will be made this week, with an additional 5-million scheduled to be sent out on Friday. The rebate checks are aimed at pumping more than 50-billion dollars into the U.S. economy by the end of May.

If you have questions about the stimulus payments, the IRS has set up a hotline to handle those. The number is (866) 234-2942.

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