Avoiding Coronavirus Scams

Coronavirus checks: flattening the scam curve

There’s a lot to worry about when it comes to the Coronavirus crisis, including the new ways  scammers are using the economic impact payments (so-called “stimulus checks”) to trick people. To  keep ahead of scammers who are trying to cash in on those payments, read on.

Scammers have no shame, and nothing – not even a global health crisis – is off limits. They’re pitching fake Coronavirus vaccines, unproven cures, and bogus at-home testing kits. So, it’s not  surprising that scammers are exploiting confusion about economic impact payments too. But it’s still shameful.

Most people who qualify for a check will automatically get it direct deposited by the IRS within weeks. But as details emerge about how and when payments will arrive, some scammers may start using  official-looking fake checks to steal money and confuse people into turning over personal information. Here’s some information to help avoid fake check scams that might be arriving soon.

•     The check’s not in the mail – yet. Reports say that paper checks – for people without direct deposit – will start arriving in May at the earliest. So, if you get an economic impact payment,  stimulus, or relief check before then, or you get a check when you’re expecting a direct deposit, it’s a scam.

•     The IRS will not send you an overpayment and make you send the money back in cash, gift  cards, or through a money transfer. If you get an official-looking check for more than what you were expecting – say, for $3,000 – the next call you’re likely to get is from a scammer. They’ll  tell you to keep your $1,200 payment, and return the rest by sending cash, gift cards, or money  transfers. It’s a scam that will leave you owing money to your bank.

•     That’s not the IRS calling, texting, or emailing. Scammers are sending official-looking messages – including postcards with a password to be used online to “access” or “verify” your  payment or direct deposit information. The IRS will not contact you to collect your personal information or bank account. It’s a scam.

For trusted information and updates about IRS payments – including eligibility, how to sign up for direct deposit, or where to file a short tax form – always start with irs.gov/coronavirus. Learn how to avoid scams by subscribing to the  FTC’s consumer alerts, and report scams to the FTC at ftc.gov/complaint.

Avoiding SSA scams during COVID-19

While some of you are home, practicing social distancing and frequent hand washing to avoid the Coronavirus, remember that scammers are still busy trying to take advantage of people. Some scammers are pretending to be from the Social Security Administration (SSA) and trying to get your Social Security number or your money.

Here’s what to know:

•     Do not trust caller ID. Scam calls may show up on caller ID as the Social Security Administration and look like the agency’s real number, but it’s not the SSA calling.

•     Your Social Security number is not about to be suspended. And your bank accounts are not about to be seized.

•     Don’t verify your Social Security number or any other personal information to anyone who calls out of the blue. If you already did, visit IdentityTheft.gov/SSA to find out what steps you can take to protect your credit and your identity.

•     SSA will never call to threaten your benefits or tell you to wire money, send cash, or put money on gift cards. Anyone who tells you to do those things is a scammer. Every time.

•     Talk about it. If you’re getting these calls, chances are your friends and family are too. Please talk with them about it.

•     People who know about scams are much less likely to fall for them. So by discussing them you are helping protect people you care for and people in your community. Check out this video for more information on Social Security scams.

Want more information on the latest Coronavirus-related scams we’re seeing? Visit ftc.gov/coronavirus, and sign up for our consumer alerts.