“You are getting $ 1,200 immediately from the government!” News of this government relief payment has been welcomed by consumers, but also by scammers, who are now using it to cheat folks who don’t know the details.
FACT: The payments will be $1,200 per adult or $ 2,400 for joint taxpayers (plus $500 per child) if you qualify. They should take about three weeks if the IRS has your direct deposit information from your 2018 or 2019 tax return. The money will be direct deposited in each taxpayer’s checking account. The Treasury is creating a web-based system for consumers where IRS doesn’t have their direct deposit information. Consumers can upload it so that they can get the money immediately as opposed to checks in the mail. Those who don’t qualify will be sent traditional paper checks, but this will probably take months.
SCAM: Consumers already report getting phone calls or emails claiming to be from CDC or Homeland Security. They are told that they qualify for the $ 1,200 payment, however they must give the caller their name, address, Social Security Number and bank account number so the money can be sent. This is a complete lie and these crooks want to steal money and possibly consumer identities.
SCAM: The FTC warns that scammers call senior citizens and tell them to call a fake “Coronavirus Hotline” They say, “We are first taking Medicare members and offering a free at-home Coronavirus testing kit.” They then get personal information from the senior. Some calls claim that taking the at-home Coronavirus test is required to continue to receive Medicare or Social Security benefits.
SCAM: Robocalls which come to seniors claim that they are the Social Security Administration. They state that, as part of the Coronavirus situation, “We have got an order to suspend your socials (sic) due to suspicious and fraudulent activity found on your socials.” They require you to call them back at an 888 toll free number which usually ends up in an off-shore phone room which demands personal information.
SCAM: A fake robocall message is targeted at small businesses: “If you are a small business that has been affected by the Coronavirus, press 1 to insure that your Google listing is correctly displayed. Otherwise customers may not be able to find you during this time. Press 2 to be removed from our list.” These calls do NOT come from Google. BBB WARNS – Do NOT press 2! It notifies the scammers that you have an active phone number and they will then sell your number to other crooks.
SCAM: The FBI is warning the health care industry of a increased fraudulent activity dealing with the purchase of COVID-19-related medical equipment. Scammers may promise equipment they do not have. The FBI asks the medical community to exercise caution when dealing with unfamiliar or unknown vendors and when relying on unidentified third-party brokers in the supply chain. They advise to be on the lookout for any suspicious activity, to include:
Unusual payment terms (e.g., supplier asking for up-front payments or proof of payment)
Last-minute price changes
Last-minute excuses for delay in shipment (e.g., claims that the equipment was seized at port or stuck in customs)
Unexplained source of bulk supply
IMPORTANT ALERT FROM NATIONAL PAYMENT CORPORATION (NPC):
Friday, March 27 our office was informed by one of our Back End Processors (Worldpay FIS) that businesses are being contacted by callers claiming to be representatives of a merchant services provider.
These callers are telling merchants that their current provider is shutting down due to the COVID-19 situation. They then proceed to tell the merchant they will need to switch processors immediately or risk losing the ability to accept electronic payments.
If you receive a call regarding any aspects of your processing account, confirm the call is from your current payment processor!
Prior to discussing any aspects of your account, please confirm the legitimacy by requesting that the caller confirm one of the below pieces of information:
• Your current Merchant Account Number
• Date & Amount of Your Last Batch
• Last 4 Digits of Tax ID #
• Bank Account Details (last 4 of primary acct. #)
