AG, Social Security Administration warn about rebate scam

State officials today warned of a scam involving tax rebate checks that will be mailed out in the next few months.

Someone claiming to be with the Social Security Administration has been calling Oklahomans seeking checking account numbers, Attorney General Drew Edmondson said. The caller claims the account number will allow the checks to be directly deposited into a taxpayer's account, Edmondson said.

However, the Social Security Administration has nothing to do with the mailing of the tax rebate checks, said Larry Jones, Social Security Administration spokesman in Oklahoma City.

Oklahomans who provide the information likely would find their accounts emptied, Edmondson said.

Consumers should be wary of providing any personal financial information, including account numbers, credit card numbers or Social Security numbers, Edmondson said.

President Bush on Wednesday signed legislation authorizing tax rebates from $200 to $1,200 to millions of Americans. The Internal Revenue Service will send out the checks through the late spring and summer.

The measure is designed to stimulate a sluggish economy.