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Be on the lookout for stimulus check scams

The Alabama Department of Revenue is warning residents that with stimulus checks could come telephone and online scams

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — The Alabama Department of Revenue is warning residents to be aware of possible scams that could come as the government sends out new stimulus checks.

They say that scammers and fraudsters may try to take take advantage of taxpayers through phishing emails and other methods looking for people's personal information and urging them to reveal it right away. The stimulus check provide scammers with new opportunities to try to pull of these schemes. The extended tax filing period also allows scammers more time to get to potential victims before they file tax returns.

Here are a few tips to remember that could help keep you from becoming a victim:

- Phone calls, text messages, and e-mails phishing for this information could be received by individual citizens, as well as tax preparers.

- The messaging could include variations of language such as "in order to receive your/your client's stimulus payment via direct deposit, we need you to confirm the banking information." Scammers would then gather that information via telephone or directing victims to click on a link that leads to a website where the victims enter their banking information. 

- The IRS, the Alabama Department of Revenue, and other legitimate government agencies will NOT ask for financial or other personal information through an email, text or phone call.

The FTC has a web page dedicated to coronavirus and stimulus-related scams. Find it here.

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