The schemes work like this: consumers get a call or an e-mail claiming to be from the IRS, the Social Security Administration, or some other government agency, and claiming to need some bit of personal information to process the rebate check. Consumers may be asked to provide their Social Security number, bank account number, or another piece of personal information that a skillful crook can use to commit identity theft. E-mails often include a link for a consumer to click: that link may take the consumer to an official-looking -- but phony -- Web site that is simply phishing for the consumer's information. Or, the link may take the consumer to a legitimate site but install spyware or some other form of malware on the way.
Neither the IRS nor the SSA collects information about government rebate qualifications by telephone or e-mail.
