Scammers already are using President Obama’s economic stimulus package to try to rip off consumers, according to an Oregon attorney general scam alert released Friday.

The scams come in the form of e-mails.

E-mail messages ask for bank information, claiming someone will directly deposit stimulus money. Instead, scammers drain the consumer’s bank account and vanish.

The e-mails sometimes appear to be from legitimate government agencies and ask consumers to “verify” that they are eligible for payment. By clicking on links, consumers download malicious software that can be used by identity thieves.

Some Web sites suggest that for as little as $1.99 consumers can get a list of economic stimulus grants to apply for. Don’t fall for it. This allows the scammer to get the consumer’s credit card number or lock them into an illegal “negative option” agreement that can charge hundreds of thousands of dollars if the consumer doesn’t cancel.

The scam alert also asks consumers to beware of offers that charge for a seminar that will show them how to apply for federal stimulus grants and get rich quick with the money they receive.

Oregon consumers who believe they have been scammed or have questions about stimulus-related offers or scams should call the attorney general’s consumer hotline at (877) 877-9392. The Oregon Department of Justice is online at www.doj.state.or.us.  Written complaints can be sent to Financial Fraud/Consumer Protection Section, 1162 Court St. N.E., Salem, OR 97301-4096.