Your Check is In the Mail

The economic stimulus payments are starting to be sent. Email scams are frequent and it is worth reminding your customers of some facts. The IRS already has their information. There is no need to respond to any email requests for verification, or to direct deposit it versus sending a check. The IRS is using the same method of refunding for the stimulus payments as was selected by the taxpayer for any 2007 refund. If they opted for a check, a check will be sent to that address. If the taxpayer opted for direct deposit, that is where the stimulus payment will be sent.

Are your tellers and CSRs prepared to field your customers questions:

• Will the bank tell me the money is in my account?
  
• What if I have closed the account I had for my refund, but have a new account with you now?
  
• How much am I getting?
  
• When will my check be sent?
  

You should be prepared with resources and talk-offs for your staff.

Need to calculate your stimulus payment?
http://www.irs.gov/app/espc/

Want to know when payments are scheduled for delivery?
http://www.irs.gov/irs/article/0,,id=180250,00.html

Where the Phishing is Best

Symantec, the security software company, released its, "The State of Phishing" report. In February, the most popular of attacks were seeking money through fraudulent tax refunds.

Also of note, 84 percent of fraud activity was directed at the finance industry. Key targets were banking sites and e-commerce in general. 13 percent was targeted at information services where sending spam was the desired use of that information.

On a brighter note, the number of unique sites used for phishing fell 1.8 percent in February 2008 as compared to the month before.