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April 9, 2020

Don’t Fall for Stimulus Check Scams or Other Fraud, Salt Lake County District Attorney Issues Warning to Residents

 

“Crises bring out the best in people, and the worst in people.” Said Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill. “We want to make sure that those struggling to meet rent, and those going through a tough time during this pandemic aren’t being taken advantage of.” Please use common sense, be wary of sharing personal information, and if it doesn’t seem quite right it probably isn’t.” “While we are concerned about our health and wellbeing, we have to also be vigilante about protecting our personal information.” 

 

To report fraud please call the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office and ask to speak with the attorney of the day: (385) 468-7600 Or go to our website: https://slco.org/district-attorney/

 

For more resources please visit:

 

DON’T FALL for STIMLUS CHECK SCAMS

 

What Scammers are doing:

 

Calling, texting, sending emails and social media posts asking you to:

 

  • “sign up” to receive your check by giving them your Social Security number or bank or PayPal account information.

 

  • “verify” your personal or financial information in order to receive a check.

 

Setting up fake websites and social media posts promising ways to “speed up” delivery of your check. They’ll charge you a fee for pretending to get you to the front of the line.

 

Mailing a bad check in an excess amount, which may lead to the recipient cashing it and sending the excess to the scammer.  

 

Sending false information in messages that appear to be from a US government agency, saying you must fill out a tax return, provide information about Social Security benefits, or complete the census to get a check.

 

Setting up fraudulent charities asking you to donate your stimulus money.                                                                                                                                                                                      

What you can do:                                                                                       

Know how and when you’ll get your money. Most people who qualify will automatically receive checks:

 

  • The IRS says it will calculate and automatically send checks to those eligible.
  • The US Treasury Department and IRS state that Social Security recipients who are not typically required to file a tax return will receive their checks just as they would normally receive their benefits.
  • Those who don’t receive tax refunds or Social Security benefits via direct deposit will receive a paper check in the mail.
  • People who don't file taxes or get Social Security benefits will need to provide their information to the IRS via a website portal, available mid-April.

 

There is no way to “speed up” the process.

  • The IRS says it will begin to deliver checks via direct deposit in mid-April.

 

Be alert to the scams!

 

  • You don’t have to pay a fee or put money on a gift card, and no one’s asking you to verify any information.
  • No government agency is sending messages asking you to fill something out to receive your check.
  • Don’t click on links in unsolicited emails or from sources you don’t know.
  • Examine paper checks that arrive in the mail.
  • Donate wisely.