There are reports that the government will soon be sending money by check or direct deposit to each of us. A few critical facts to keep in mind, during this period are;
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The government will not ask you to pay anything upfront to get this money. No fees. No charges. No nothing.
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The government (and your credit union) will NEVER call to ask for your Social Security number, account number, or credit card number. Anyone who does is a scammer.
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These reports of checks aren’t yet a reality. Anyone who tells you they can get you the money now is a scammer.
Keep up to date with the latest Coronavirus-related scams at www.ftc.gov/coronavirus.
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We want to keep you informed during these difficult times, so watch out for the following scams.
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Individuals and businesses selling fake cures for COVID-19 online. Remember that the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO) have not yet endorsed a viable cure, and anyone attempting to sell you one is a fraudster.
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Phishing emails from entities posing as the WHO or CDC are on the rise. Beware of any links in these emails and delete them right away.
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Malicious websites and apps have begun to appear that share coronavirus-related information. They are attempting to trick you into gaining access to your device, then locking them until payment is received.
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Individuals are seeking donations fraudulently for illegitimate or non-existent charitable organizations. If you're thinking of donating to relief efforts, use reputable, well-established charities.
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Some medical providers have obtained patient information for COVID-19 testing and have used that information to fraudulently bill for other tests and procedures.
In addition to these scams, we have also encountered people going door to door to sign people up for COVID-19 tests, as well as individuals receiving emails, phone calls, and text messages to order them. Be sure to consult your physician before engaging in any testing.