PORT ARTHUR - By Megan Dillard - Someone contacts you and says you might qualify for federal stimulus money.
In fact, they want to make it easy for you.
So easy they'll file a tax return on your behalf and the money will to straight into your account.
The only catch: you have to give them some personal information: your name, address, social security number, and banking information.
Investigators believe the scheme has victimized enough people, including the elderly and disabled, to warrant a meeting tonight.
Nearly four dozen people listened to representatives from the Port Arthur Police Department and the Better Business Bureau earlier this evening at the Bob Bowers Civic Center.
Law enforcement explained the scam to the public and offered advice for those who believe they've been victimized.
Major Raymond Clark with the Port Arthur Police Department says it's important to warn the public so others don't become victims.
"We have individuals out there who are gaining their information and turning this information into the IRS, getting a check and dividing that money, giving some to them, and the suspects themselves receive the money."
KFDM was at the meeting and spoke with a victim.
The man says a scammer ripped him off and took advantage of his mother.
Theodore Victor, Sr. hasn't filled out a tax return since 2002.
The 61-year-old is disabled and lives on social security benefits.
That's why when he heard that he may qualify for stimulus money from the government, he was willing to participate.
"I called the lady to make an appointment."
The woman asked Victor for his driver license, social security, and banking information.
Victor gave her what she asked for but started to grow suspicious when she stopped answering phone calls.
Two weeks later, he had a deposit in his bank account from the U.S. Treasury.
"The lady says it was stimulus money. Come to find out everything she told me was a lie."
A lie investigators say could jeopardize victor's identity or social security benefits.
"They have to investigate that I didn't do this."
Victor says the IRS explained his return was divided into two accounts.
He received more than $700.
Someone else got nearly $600.
Now, one form at a time, Victor counts out the paperwork he's had to submit to try to right the wrong.
"You have to fill all these forms out, and also, I did fill out a police report."
He's also doing the paperwork for his mother and two other people he knows that fell victim to the scam.
A sense of security stolen; a lesson learned the hard way.
"There's nothing free."
If you have any information about this scam or if you are a victim, call the Port Arthur Police Department, the Better Business Bureau or EasTex Crime Stoppers at 409-724-TIPS.
_________________________________________________________ SOUTHEAST TEXAS - Port Arthur Police believe a number of people in the area who receive Social Security disability payments were ripped off by scam artists.
Watch KFDM News reporter Megan Dillard with more on the story at 10.
Investigators say they've learned that men and women receiving Social Security disability payments have met with people who told them they might qualify for federal stimulus money or educational credits-even if they didn't attend school.
The victims were told they had to provide their name, address, social security number, and banking information.
The victims were then told an income tax return would be filed on their behalf and a refund would be deposited in their account.
The false return creates a number of problems.
The victims may lose their Social Security disability income.
Port Arthur Police and the Better Business Bureau are hosting a meeting Monday night at 6 for anyone who believes they might have been victimized by the scheme.
The meeting is at the Bob Bowers Civic Center.
Are you a victim of Social Security fraud?Related Stories
- More Texas News
- National News
- International News
- Lawmaker resurrects radioactive water bill
- Man pleads guilty in Picasso vandalism case
- Officials link E. coli outbreak to restaurant
- Divorce clause keeps lesbians from living together
- Man convicted of killing sons scheduled to testify
- Longview officer fatally shoots fleeing suspect
- Texas mother worried about torture, traffickers
- Texas district that axed sports may get new life
- Texas search team to help after Okla. twister
- Longview police officer, suspect injured in chase
- 2 more reports of anti-gay attacks in NYC
- APNewsBreak: Coast Guardsman admits desertion
- House GOP panel moves on deep budget cuts
- McKeon: State didn't ask for help before Benghazi
- Pentagon wants $450M for Guantanamo prison
- Feds halt data cull for State Dept terror report
- Central and North Texas under tornado watch into evening hours
- Man pleads guilty in Picasso vandalism case
- Fort Jackson commander facing adultery charges
- Hospitals treat hundreds after Oklahoma tornado
- Toronto mayor avoids questions about crack video
- Brazil party challenges ruling on gay marriage
- The pope and the devil: Is Francis an exorcist?
- Gay marriage bill clears UK House of Commons
- Brazil commission says abusers could be tried
- Gandhi's 'blood sample' fails to sell in Britain
- Algerian president leaves Paris military hospital
- Thousands of women protest death in Togo
- 2 Moroccans tried for homosexuality get 4 months
- Pope expresses solidarity with tornado survivors
Automotive
Find valuable information about buying your next car, including price quotes and your latest automotive news.
Wedding Central
The greatest Southeast Texas story ever told. Share your wedding and engagement news!
Lost and Found Pets
These are pets that have been lost or found in the KFDM News Channel 6 viewing area.
No Text Zone
Texting While Driving Kills Thousands of People Each Year. Many More are Seriously Injured. You Can Help Make Our Roads a NO TEXT ZONE
Texas Lottery
Texas Lottery
Community Calendar
Check out our Community Calendar!
Baby Talk
Baby Talk with Nicole Murray.
KFDM Channel 6 Top Stories
Business News
Consumer News
BC-US--Dow Record-Three Personal Stories, 1st Ld-Writethru,1173
Dow Record: Three tales of ups, downs and changes
AP Photo FX102, FX103
Eds: With BC-US--Dow Record. Adds photos.
By SCOTT MAYEROWITZ
AP Business Writer
NEW YORK (AP) -- When the Dow first crossed 14,000, investors were overjoyed. ...
Entertainment News
"DANCING WITH THE STARS"
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Zendaya or Kellie Pickler will be winning the mirrorball trophy.
Get This
GW-GYM FLOOR
WASHINGTON (AP) -- George Washington University students will soon be walking all over the White House and the Capitol, too.
Science/Tech News
IN THE NEWS: iPHONE RECOVERED AFTER THEFT IN OREGON
MEDFORD, Ore. (AP) -- A smartphone, plus a not-so-smart criminal -- equals an arrest in Oregon.

