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If so, you can send it direct to CPD in the space provided at the bottom of this page.

Beware of phony IRS refund e-mail
March 22, 2006
Charleston Gazette News Article
By Paul J. Nyden, Staff writer

“We have determined that you are eligible to receive a tax refund of $63.80.  Please submit the tax refund request and allow us six to nine days to process it,” reads an e-mail received by many people in West Virginia and elsewhere early Tuesday.

The top of the e-mail displays the words “Internal Revenue Service” beside the agency’s official logo.   Readers are directed to a page asking them to type in their Social Security number, a credit card number, that card’s date of expiration and a personal identification number for an ATM card.

The only problem is that the e-mail does not come from the IRS. It is a scam, a fraud designed to steal people’s identities.  “The IRS never communicates with taxpayers using e-mails,” IRS spokeswoman Nancy Mathis said Tuesday afternoon. “We may call you. We may send you a letter.”  Mathis offered advice good for foiling all Internet scams, not just IRS-related ones.  “Don’t share any financial information,” she said. “People need to be very cautious about sharing any financial information.”

Mathis said the IRS has already identified a dozen scams operating out of 18 foreign countries.  It is harder for U.S. authorities to prosecute scam artists who do not live in the country.  A first wave of e-mails promising fraudulent IRS refunds began arriving in people’s computers last fall. In January and February, they took off again, Mathis said.  Tuesday’s e-mails directed recipients to sign up for their phony refunds using a page titled, “Get Tax Refund on your VISA or MasterCard.”  The “Home” page available at the top of that fake page leads readers to the real IRS Internet homepage, which has a “Consumer Alert” section warning people about “Phishing, Identity Theft and Scams.”

Mathis also urged people who encounter scams and frauds to notify the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, whose Internet page is www.tigta.com.

The IRS urges people to protect themselves in several ways:

• Verify the authenticity of phone calls, standard mail, faxes or e-mails of questionable origin before responding.
• Never reveal passwords, PINs, Social Security numbers or any other confidential information to people or organizations who ask for it.
• The only IRS Web site is www.irs.gov. “Any other variations on this will not lead to the legitimate IRS Web site,” Mathis said.
• Do not open attachments to e-mails of possibly questionable origin, because they might contain viruses that will infect your computer.
• Shred all paper documents containing confidential personal or financial information before throwing them away.

Any taxpayer who has questions about any e-mail offer can call the IRS toll-free at (800) 829-1040.

To contact staff writer Paul J. Nyden, use e-mail or call 348-5164.

Hit and Run - 700 block Amity Drive (West Side)
On Saturday, December 24, 2005 between 4:30 PM and 5:00 PM, a three year old boy was struck by a vehicle in the 700 block of Amity Drive.  After striking the boy, the driver fled the scene.  The boy sustained severe facial and leg injuries.

Witnesses to the Hit and Run provided a description of the striking vehicle and driver as follows;
Described as a black or dark colored Honda Accord or Civic, first two digits of the registration plate being 4C or 6C.
Driver:
Described as a white male, early to mid twenties and having an average build (height 5’10” – 6’00” & weight 160 – 190 pounds).

Anyone with information is requested to contact Cpl. T.S. Williams or the Accident Investigation Bureau at 304-348-6470.  Anonymous information can be sent via this website to the Provide a Tip page.  

Murder - Kanawha Mall  (South Side)
On Wednesday, February 25, 2004 at about 8:15 PM, James Workman, an employee of the Kanawha Mall, took a break and left his work area to a rear exit door to smoke.  Workman, prior to his being transported to the hospital, told officers on the scene that a white male with a beard, driving a dark gray or purple vehicle, pulled up near the rear door, got out of the vehicle and identified himself as a private investigator.  The suspect then produced a silver handgun and shot the victim in the chest.  The victim later died from his injuries.

It is unknown at this time if the victim was targeted for some reason or if this was a random attack.  Given the location and timing of the incident, information related to this shooting has been provided to the Sniper Task Force.

Anyone with information is requested to call Det. Tom Ranson at (304) 348-6480 or submit information via this website.

Bank Robbery - BB&T, 501 Tennessee Ave. (West Side)
On Tuesday, July 19, 2005, shortly after 1130 AM, a black male, 28 to 35 years of age, 5'07" to 6'00" tall weighing approximately 200 lbs., entered the BB&T bank at 501 Tennessee Ave., produced a small handgun (later found to be a toy gun), and demanded money from the tellers.  After the robbery, the suspect fled the bank on foot.

Surveillance cameras captured the below still shots of the suspect during the commission of the robbery.

If you have any information regarding the possible identity of the suspect or information about this robbery, please contact the Criminal Investigation Division at 304-348-6480 or you can submit the information via the Provide a Tip page on this website.

Murder - Charleston Area Shootings August 10 and August 14, 2003

CHARLESTON, WEST VIRGINIA SHOOTING INCIDENTS

THE DETAILS SURROUNDING THE CRIME The FBI is seeking information regarding the shooting incidents which took place in the Charleston, West Virginia, area during the week of August 10, 2003. Three individuals were shot and killed while frequenting convenience stores during the late evening hours. Law enforcement investigators are asking the public's help in identifying the individual or individuals responsible for these crimes. REWARD - $100,000 The FBI is offering a reward of up to $50,000 and the Kanawha County Commission is offering up to $50,000 for information leading directly to the identification of the individual or individuals responsible for the homicides. IF YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS CASE, PLEASE CONTACT THE TOLL FREE CHARLESTON TIP LINE AT 1-866-989-2824 OR YOUR LOCAL FBI OFFICE.

ROBERT S. MUELLER, III DIRECTOR FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE WASHINGTON, D.C. 20535 TELEPHONE: (202) 324-3000

Murder - In front of Kroger, Kanawha Mall  (South Side)
On Thursday, March 20, 2003 at about 8:27 PM, Randall Burgess, 29 years of age from Charleston, was shot one time with a high powered rifle while getting into his car which was parked in the Fire Lane directly in front of the Kroger pharmacy.  Burgess was driving a white 1997 Toyota Corolla.
Burgess had driven to the pharmacy from his residence in Mink Shoals.  He had picked up a prescription for his mother which he was still carrying at the time he was shot.  The preliminary investigation determined that the shot was fired from the direction of the south parking lot between Kroger and the Gabriel Brother's store.  Trajectory would indicate the shot was fired from the parking lot.  The recovered bullet fragments were .30 caliber.
It is unknown at this time if the victim was targeted for some reason or if this was a random attack.

Anyone with information is requested to call Det. Mark Abbott at (304) 348-6480 or submit information via this website.

If you have any information that you feel would be beneficial to the Charleston Police Department concerning the above cases or any other case, please send us your feedback in the space provided below.  Your screen name will not be transmitted with the message, in effect providing anonymous information to CPD.  

Please indicate what case you are referring the information to in the content of your message.

If you do not wish to make your information anonymous, please send your e-mail to: crimewatch@charlestonwvpolice.org.