US Tax Service

Victim Location 85388

Type of a scam Government Grant

I received a call this morning from a woman named Mary (possible Indian accent) from phone number (512)-000-789 (only 9 digits). She said I qualified for $8,500 tax refund from ARRA. She said she was a representative of the US tax department. This money could be deposited in a checking account or bank card. I gave numbers off a zero balance gift card I received at Christmas. (account number, expiration date and 3 digit verification from the back). She gave me an approval code (RM725). I was told to call another number, 512-646-2097, to receive the money. Upon calling the number, after a reverse check of the phone number with no results, I called to see what the offer was. The gentleman, Jack Smith, also with the same accent, stated that I did qualify, and the money could be depositied into the account in 45 minutes, but they needed an advance to cover the fees of the electronic filing, of $250. This money could not be taken off the $8,500, but needed to be electronically sent to them through my bank account. I stated I didn’t have $250. He said when I get it, to return the call to him. I suspect this is a scam. They have no further information from me than what they already had before the call (my name, phone number and address). The card number I gave them is only a gift card. Am I at risk? Is this a known scam?