Waiting for your refund can be time-consuming and
inconvenient, so tax preparer H&R Block offers an advance to
customers via a prepaid debit card called the Emerald Card.
Scammers send out text messages -- again at random; they have
no way of knowing if you have an Emerald Card or not -- saying
there's a problem with the card or it needs to be activated.
The message seems to come from H&R Block (though it really
doesn't) and asks victims to call a specific number.
There, they are greeted with a recorded message that asks them
to key in their full name and card number.
Once the crooks have these details, they immediately drain the
cash from the card by spending it online.
H&R Block has issued the following statement about this tax
rebate scam:
"We believe the text was sent by someone with a random list of
cell phone numbers, and we have no reason to believe H&R
Block's systems have been compromised. We're advising
recipients not to respond to the text, not to call the number
provided, and not to offer any personal information
whatsoever. H&R block does not send text or other messages
asking clients to provide, update, or confirm sensitive data."
