A Free Public Service

SCAMS BULLETIN Host Jay White is an inactive attorney in San Mateo County, California.

March 30, 2021

NEW STIMULUS PAYMENT SCAM

As authorized by new law, millions of consumers will be in line to receive another round of stimulus payments of as much as $1,400.

With each new round of stimulus payments since the pandemic began last March, scammers have sought ways to defraud consumers out of their checks, their personal information, or both. With that experience in mind, and with potentially larger stimulus checks on the way, fraudsters will be up to their old tricks. 

The best way for consumers to avoid falling victim to these scams is to understand some simple rules about receiving the checks:

*Most consumers will not need to do anything to receive the checks. They will either be direct deposited into your bank account, or you will receive a paper check, or a prepaid debit card in the mail.

*There is no way to get the check “early.” While it may be tempting to believe that a person can arrange an early payment, they are only trying to scam you.

*The IRS will not contact you to confirm your information. After previous rounds of stimulus, scammers sent out convincing-looking emails and text messages claiming to be with the IRS. These messages encouraged consumers to click on a link where personal information like bank account routing information, Social Security Numbers, or other sensitive data were harvested.

To obtain the most up-to-date information about the status of your stimulus check, visit the IRS’ “Get My Payment”.

Beware of scammers impersonating the IRS or other government agencies who claim you were “overpaid” and demand you send money back to them.

If you or someone you know has been a victim of a stimulus check scam, or any other type of fraud, we urge you to file a complaint at Fraud.org via our online complaint form.

Help us fight fraud by sharing your story. We collect complaints from consumers at our secure form and share it with our network of 100 law enforcement partners across the U.S. and Canada. Complaints to Fraud.org are also transmitted to the Federal Trade Commission at www.ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

Complaint Information:

First name*

Last name*

Address1

Address2

City

State*

Choose a state

Zip code*

Birth year* (for statistical purposes only)

Ex: 1936

Phone Number*

(___)___-____

Email address*

Complaint Information

Enter the details of the company or person who committed the fraud.

Company name

First name

Last name

Address 1

Address 2

Company city

State

Choose a state

Zip code

Web Address

Phone Number

How did you first encounter this company/individual

Choose a method

Type of Complaint

– Select One –

Date of first contact with seller/company

If the seller/company asked for money, how much?

If you paid the seller/company, how much?

How did you pay?

Choose a method

Comments

Explain what happened; what goods or services were offered, if any; what you have tried to do to resolve the problem; and any other details you think are important that were not captured in the form above. Please provide as many details as you can. Thank you.

ATTRIBUTION: http://www.fraud.org.