Dollars & Sense: Tax refund scam

So you've filed your income tax returns early and are now waiting eagerly for that nice refund from the IRS. Well financial experts say thieves could set you up for an email phishing scam, if you're a little too eager. Fraudulent emails that are made to look like they're sent by the IRS are being sent out this time of the year asking for personal information.

"So there could be a link to enter a website to enter information, there could be some type of attachment form to download, or if it's a website that's already infected if the person just visits the page their computer could end up being infected," said Ken Newman of Central Pacific Bank.

Newman points out that those who fall for the scam can pay a heavy price because scammers are looking to steal a lot more than that check from the IRS.

"The problem is they don't get the early refund, they may lose personal information so they can become victims of fraud or identity theft, or what can almost be scarier is their computer becomes infected with malware without their even knowing it, and then their computer can be used as part of scams to infect other people," said Newman.

So it's really important not to respond to these emails or click on to any of the links provided in them. The IRS does send emails to taxpayers giving general information, but not regarding individual accounts or refunds. So it will never ask for anyone's social security number or any other financial information. Newman advises everyone to look at such emails carefully before responding.

"Spelling errors, grammar errors, are there strange phrases that make it seem like this letter might have been written by someone for whom English wasn't a first language?" said Newman.

Anyone who has received the scam emails is asked to contact the IRS directly and if you think you might have mistakenly provided personal information, contact your financial institution right away.