Even as people are finishing their taxes, the Internal Revenue Service is warning people about "phishers" who are trying to lure people into sharing personal information.

"Don’t be fooled by these shameless scam artists," IRS Commissioner Mark W. Everson said in a prepared statement. "Always exercise caution when you receive unsolicited e-mails or e-mails from senders you don’t know, and always verify the source."

Phishers send out fraudulent e-mails that look like they are coming from a legitimate business. The e-mails ask people to share certain information in exchange for some sort of money or to clear up problems with an account. The IRS phishing e-mail tells people that they have a refund waiting for them, according to a news release from the IRS.

The IRS does not send out unsolicited e-mails, the release said. It also doesn’t tell people about refunds through e-mail.

People who have received such an e-mail should not respond but should forward it to the IRS at phishing@irs.gov.

Construction continues

at Sherburne project

Construction is going as scheduled at the Westlake Village project in Sherburne, according to a news release from the development.

Westlake Village is a senior housing development. It is in its first phase of construction; that phase, the release said, involves building condominiums.

"Its focus is on providing a home for mature adults to pursue a dream of �living happily ever after,’" said the Eldershire website. "The Westlake Village concept is to develop a multifaceted community, one which fits the way we want to live now as well as in the future."[an error occurred while processing this directive]

Westlake Village is part of the Eldershire program, according to Eldershire’s website. Dr. Bill Thomas, also of Sherburne, founded that program.

Possible prices for the condominiums weren’t available. The project hasn’t yet gotten approval from the state attorney general’s office to start selling the homes.

Fly Creek owner is finalist

for tourism award

The owner of the Fly Creek Cider Mill and Orchard has been named a finalist for tourism executive of the year in New York, according to a news release from the New York State Hospitality and Tourism Association.

People in the tourism industry nominated H. William Michaels for the award, the release said.

Michaels and his wife, Brenda, bought the mill from his parents in the late 1990s.

About 30 people from across the state were nominated for the award. The release said the award will go to the person who "goes above and beyond normal job responsibilities, including outstanding and unusual service to the property, to guests, or to the community."

The winner of the award will be announced April 23 in Tarrytown.

"We are particularly pleased and honored to recognize our �Stars of the Industry’ at a time when the tourism and hospitality industry has never been more critical to the well-being of New York’s economy," Daniel Murphy, president of the association, said in a prepared statement.

The cider mill also recently received an award from the North American Farmers’ Direct Marketing Association for having an "outstanding website."

Fly Creek Cider Mill and Orchard’s website is www.flycreekcidermill.com.

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To suggest a business story, announce a new business or changes to an existing one, e-mail aashbridge@thedailystar.com or call Amy L. Ashbridge at 432-1000, ext. 213 or (800) 721-1000, ext. 213.