Beware of Stimulus Check Scams
Scammers are already trying to take advantage of federal stimulus package
How to Spot a COVID-19 Federal Stimulus Scam:
Government agencies will not contact you through social media, phone, text, or email.
Government agencies will not ask you to verify your personal information or provide banking information. It is not necessary to provide this information in order to receive your stimulus check.
Government agencies will not ask for your Social Security Number.
Government agencies will not contact you to get your funds “immediately” or “faster.”
Government agencies will not ask you to pay a “processing fee.”
If a scammer calls or contacts you, don’t engage – hang up – delete the email – do not click on a link. Report scams to the Federal Trade Commission.
Watch Out For:
Government imposters – confirm websites from lookalike websites. Make sure it is a legitimate government website before believing any information provided to you.
When in doubt, assume it is a scam.
Online Government Resources:
IRS: www.irs.gov/coronavirus
U.S. Treasury: https://home.treasury.gov
Report all scams to the Federal Trade Commission at https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/.
The Consumer Financial Protection Initiative is the City’s consumer protection bureau charged with helping consumers protect themselves from unfair and deceptive business practices, expand city services to help consumers who have been harmed by an unfair or deceptive business transaction, strengthen protections for consumers, and take action, where appropriate, against businesses that violate consumer laws.
This information and more can be accessed at cabq.gov/scams. This website will be regularly updated to include recent information and to offer resources in multiple languages.
