blivingston@themeridianstar.com
It is said there is a sucker born every minute.
Roy Gibbens, however, is no sucker.
On Oct. 29, Gibbens, of Meridian, received an e-mail that at first glance makes the recipient believe it was sent by the IRS. The notice concerns a supposed tax refund. It instructs you how you can claim money the e-mail says is yours if you fill out the form.
This is a scam.
"I became suspicious from the start because there has been nothing on the news about another tax refund check to American citizens that had been approved," said Gibbens. "There's been talk of other types of incentives to stimulate the economy but nothing quite like this. Plus, it was via the Internet."
The e-mail cites alleged tax codes in an attempt to make everything seem official and legal. It even tells you how much you are entitled to if you continue to the next step. In Gibbens' case he was supposed to receive $120.50.
What may hook unsuspecting responders to the e-mail is the Web site you are asked to go to in order to fill out a form to claim your money. It is complete with the IRS logo and other visual indications this is the real deal. What really made the red light come on for Gibbens, however, was the type of information you were asked to enter and then send.
There are boxes for your social security number, credit card information including pin number and banking information. Things Gibbens figured the real IRS wouldn't need because they already know much of that information.
"I called the IRS and they confirmed this was a scam," said Gibbens. "They don't do business of this sort over the Internet."
The IRS asked Gibbens to send in the information he received so they can track the website, which he gladly did.
"I hate to think somebody might actually fall for this ruse," Gibbens said. "I just didn't feel right about not reporting this and getting the word out this scam is circulating out there."
Officials continually warn the general public to not give out important financial information through the Internet or by telephone until they are certain they are not being targeted by a scam artist. Asking questions and being wary of fantastic opportunities is the best way to not become a victim.
Local News
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High Honor
The flowers and balloons Crestwood Elementary School Principal Kimberly Kendrick received at school Monday were not an early Valentines' Day gift.
Kendrick has been named Meridian Public School District's 2012 Administrator of the Year – an announcement that both surprised and wowed the 17-year veteran educator when made by MPSD Superintendent Dr. Alvin Taylor. -
Master Dance Class
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Digital system promises better communication
Hopefully in the near future you won't hear someone in the emergency services ask over the radio, "Can you hear me now?"
A digital communications system, one which is being pushed by the Federal Communication Commission (FCC), is a few months away and, in some cases, is already in the testing phase in Lauderdale County. -
Inmate escapes custody
Mississippi Department of Corrections officials said Monday afternoon an inmate escaped from custody Friday and is still being sought.
Officials said Johnny Hall Jr. escaped from two Wilkinson County Correctional Facility officers’ custody while being escorted from his father’s wake at the Picayune Funeral Home in Picayune. Preliminary information indicates Hall left the officers and jumped into a waiting black vehicle with a white female driver. -
Citizen’s Police Academy begins today
The work law enforcement conducts on a daily basis is often misunderstood by the general public.
Officials at the Meridian Police Department developed a program to inform and educate citizens on what police do in serving and protecting the population. The program, The Citizen's Police Academy, has been gaining speed for a couple of years since it was first offered. Officials said it shows residents are interested in police work and how it is conducted. - Woman: decongestant brought meth charge in Alabama
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SoMiSPO brings steel drum rhythms to MCC
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About face
Nothing is forever in the military and after a months-long battle to secure a C-27J Spartan flying mission and its field training unit at Key Field and the 186th Air Refueling Wing, it seems all of that is flying the way of the KC-135 tankers that used to fill the skies over Meridian.
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