Con artists turn stimulus plan into new scam

KUSA – The 9Wants to Know Fraud Squad warn a proposed economic stimulus plan has inspired criminals to come up with a new way to scam the public.

Con artists are calling people with offers to help get promised tax refunds in a proposed economic stimulus plan faster. But in order to get the money, the callers say the consumer needs to share bank account numbers and other personal information.

According to Mason Finks, director of consumer protection for the Arapahoe County District Attorney's Office, if you give out your bank account number to someone on the phone nothing will be put in but "a lot, if not all, will be taken out."

The callers claim to be with the Internal Revenue Service or the tax department of the Social Security Administration.

More than 20 consumers in South Carolina have reported being contacted by individuals promising such offers.

So far Congress has not voted on the economic stimulus package and money would be released to the public only if Congress passes the bill and the president signs it. Most reports say it could be May before the money is available to taxpayers.

So far there are no reports of people in Colorado receiving such calls. If you do hear of such a scam contact your local DA's office or call the Consumer Protection Line at 720-874-8547.

Finks says to protect yourself, always stay up on current events. Know enough to know when something sounds like a scam.

Also, never give personal information or bank account/credit card information to individuals who contact you, regardless of who they claim to be.