Area residents are being warned about a scam that is targeting older Pennsylvanians and people with disabilities who have applied to the Pennsylvania’s Property Tax/Rent Rebate program.

According to the Pennsylvania Treasury Department, applicants of the program have been receiving calls from scammers who are asking for their bank account information to facilitate the payment of their rebates through direct deposit. The callers falsely claim they are from the Treasury Department as part of this scheme.

“We want everyone to know that the Treasury Department and the Department of Revenue will never call applicants of this program and ask for their bank information,” Revenue Secretary Pat Browne said. “No one should give out this sensitive personal information over the phone from an unsolicited caller. If you have any suspicion at all that a call like this is a scam, hang up the phone immediately.”

Applicants of the Property Tax/Rent Rebate program have the option of including their banking information on their applications for direct deposit. Including this information on the application expedites the payment of your rebate, but it is not required. Applicants who do not include their banking information will be mailed a paper check.

To check the status of your rebate, go to the Department of Revenue at pa.gov and use the “Where’s My Rebate?” tool or contact the Department of Revenue through the Online Customer Service Center.