Consumers were warned on Friday to beware of identity theft scams, including bogus tax refund notices, during the holiday season.
The Identity Theft Assistance Center (ITAC), repeating a warning issued by the Internal Revenue Service, stated that consumers have received e-mails from a group purporting to be associated with the IRS, telling them that they are entitled to a refund. Recipients are asked for their social security and credit card numbers.
In another scheme, identity thieves have tried to trick survivors of Hurricane Katrina into revealing personal information.
The group also advised shoppers not to open too many retail credit card accounts, stating that this decreases their chances of having their identities stolen.
“Identity thieves don’t take a holiday,” said Anne Wallace, executive director of ITAC, in a statement. “Consumers should be especially careful in the coming weeks about sharing their personal information, especially their social security numbers, whether it’s a request from an individual or comes unsolicited through the Internet.”
