For Immediate Release
Date: October 18, 2007
Contact: Glenda Beck
Phone: (573) 751-8222

Department of Revenue warns taxpayers of potential scam

        JEFFERSON CITY - Director of Revenue Trish Vincent today issued an urgent notice to Missouri taxpayers of a potential scam involving income tax.  The Department of Revenue has received multiple calls from taxpayers saying that a person identifying himself as “Shane” asked for bank account and routing information so the Department can return overpayments of income taxes.  The phone number left for the taxpayers to call is a 204 area code in Canada.

         “These calls are fraudulent and illegal,” said Director Vincent.  “We want taxpayers to be aware of this scam and remind everyone they should never give personal information or banking information over the phone to unknown callers,” Vincent said. 

        The Department of Revenue does not call Missouri taxpayers to request personal bank account and routing information.  The Department is investigating the calls and attempting to identify the person or persons involved. 

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