The federal government has issued a warning about phoney e-mails that ask Canadians to divulge personal details online.

Service Canada, which processes things such as employment insurance benefits, says its clients have been receiving e-mails asking for data purportedly needed to expedite a claim.

In reality, the e-mails form the basis for an identity theft scam.

"Service Canada does not use e-mails to obtain confidential information from clients," the department said in an advisory issued Thursday.

"Please be assured that Service Canada is doing everything it can to protect users of its internet service against any type of fraudulent activity."

The details sought in the phoney e-mails including a person's social insurance number, date of birth and credit card information.

Service Canada said anyone who has received such an e-mail already should immediately contact the federal government.