The Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) newest fraud awareness campaign focuses on potential scams surrounding COVID-19 relief payments. In their “Avoid Coronavirus Relief Payment Scams” infographic, the FTC outlines four things you can do to avoid being taken advantage of by scammers and swindlers.
- Don’t respond to calls, texts, or emails about money from the government – or anyone – asking for your personal bank account information. Government agencies like the IRS will not call, text, or email you about your relief payment.
- Don’t pay anyone to get your relief payment. There are no fees associated with getting your money.
- Don’t respond to anyone who says your payment was too high and tells you to repay the money by sending cash, a gift card, or a money transfer. That is always a scam.
- Never click on links in emails, texts, or on social media about your relief payment. Always start at irs.gov/coronavirus to check your eligibility, payment status, enter direct deposit information, or find out what to do to get your payment.
Fraud takes all forms. Knowledge is power in the fraud fight. To learn more about COVID-related scams, visit ftc.gov/coronavirus/scams.
