You have an IRS refund, and someone wants it.

Even before the Economic Stimulus package was approved, scammers were sending emails wanting to verify your personal information to process your rebate. It is a scam.

The Federal Trade Commission has issued a warning to consumers advising them that the IRS and Social Security Administration do not collect refund or rebate information by telephone or email. This is a phishing attempt to get your personal information over the phone or a phony website. This information could then be used to facilitate identity theft.

Keep your confidential information confidential. Don't provide it over the web and don't provide it to someone who calls you. Even if they give you a number to call them back, verify that the number is correct before you call them. These scammers are known to provide fake call-back numbers that just ring in their offices, just like they'll provide false website addresses.

The FTC notice is here.