• Tara Bozick •
• Originally published May 15, 2008 at 5:49 a.m., updated May 15, 2008 at 5:49 a.m.

Before he finished reading his checking account number into the telephone, one elderly man suspected something was wrong.

Justo Guerra, 87, sent in his paperwork on Tuesday to receive via direct deposit his economic stimulus check from the Internal Revenue Service. The IRS began sending rebates this month to more than 130 million households.

On Wednesday, Guerra received a phone call from a man saying his check would come in the next couple days. He tried to read the caller identification, but it said “unknown.”

The caller didn’t identify himself, but asked if Guerra wanted direct deposit for the economic stimulus check. Guerra replied in the affirmative, but then the caller asked for Guerra’s checking account number.

Guerra started to read the number on one of his checks, but couldn’t see the numbers clearly. When he went to retrieve a bank statement with better type, Guerra realized the man might be trying to take advantage of him.

Guerra told the man he wouldn’t give any more information, hung up the phone and opened a new checking account just in case.

First Victoria Bank called the IRS for Guerra and found out he wouldn’t be receiving his check until June.

“I’m sure it was somebody trying to get my account number,” Guerra said. “The way he talked, it didn’t sound like an IRS employee.”

The IRS does not call or e-mail about the stimulus checks, Sherry Hornstein, crime prevention officer for the Victoria Police Department, said. It’s the first time she heard of this type of scam in Victoria.

“What I recommend is that people not give out any vital information unless they initiate the call,” Hornstein said. “That’s the only way to know for sure. If somebody calls them wanting that information, don’t give it.”

If you think you received a legitimate call, ask for the number, hang up and call back, Hornstein said.

Tara Bozick is a reporter for the Advocate. Contact her at 361-580-6504 or tbozick@vicad.com, or comment on this story at www.VictoriaAdvocate.com.

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