CONCORD, N.H. – New Hampshire’s attorney general is warning residents about a home heating refund scam.

Attorney General Kelly Ayotte said New Hampshire residents may be receiving spam e-mails informing them they are due refunds from the federal Energy Department for $480. She said the e-mail then instructs recipients to click on a link in the message. But following the directions may infect computers and allow hackers to steal sensitive and personal information.

She said the refund}energy.gov address is bogus and that the Energy Department does not collect revenue or issue refunds by e-mail.

Residents who receive the e-mails are encouraged to contact the Federal Trade Commission at www.ftc.gov.