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http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News Blogs Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Classic Forums Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Multimedia Photo Gallery Readers Photo Gallery Sports Tempo Weather Road Cams Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Distinctly Northwest Women in Business Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Customer Service Advertise With Us Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map Email Story to a Friend April 14, 2007 IRS warns of Internet scam using Free File tax program The Associated Press WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service on Friday warned of Internet scam artists trying to obtain people's bank account numbers and other information by posing as a participant in a program offering free tax preparation software to low- and middle-income taxpayers. The tax agency said in a statement that the IRS's Web site, http:www.irs.gov/, is the only way to access the Free File program, and that taxpayers should avoid other Web sites claiming to be part of the program. "The final days of the tax season always bring tax scams," IRS Commissioner Mark Everson said in a statement. "Make sure you're really dealing with the IRS. Taxpayers can feel safe using Free File, but the only way to do it is through the secure IRS.gov Web site." The tax agency said it was looking into allegations that the bogus Web sites, which were not identified, were accepting tax information from taxpayers, changing the taxpayers' bank account numbers to their own and filing the return through a legitimate Free File partner. Free File is a partnership between 19 tax software companies and the IRS that provides free software to taxpayers with an adjusted gross income of $52,000 or less. The tax agency says 95 million out of 136 million taxpayers qualify for the program, which debuted in 2003, although usage is still relatively small. Everson said that as of April 5, almost 3.1 million people had used Free File, down more than 4 percent from last year. IRS spokesman Terry Lemons said the agency was working to identify taxpayers affected by the scam and would try to make sure they received their refunds. Would you like to respond to this story? If so Click Here to visit our forums. Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2007 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems Online Casino Reviews Trunks, Footlocker Fundraisers UK Homeowner Loans Casinos Canada Cord Blood Banking Discount Hotel Reservations Texas Electric Choice Compare Electric rates in Texas Online Casino Windermere Van Vleet Men's Clothing Debt Help New Hampshire Primary