Albuquerque Issues Warning For Stimulus Check Scams

Press release from the City of Albuquerque:

Congress has passed a federal stimulus package that will provide most Americans with a check to offset lost income due to the COVID-19 state of emergency. Checks will be sent in a few weeks. This means that you will receive a direct deposit check to your bank account (if your previously filed income tax return included that information) or a paper check that will be mailed to you.

Scammers are already trying to take advantage of this situation.

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 details. 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 look-a-like website. Make sure it is a legitimate government website before believing any information provided to you.
• When in doubt, assume it is a scam.

Government Websites

• IRS: www.irs.gov/coronovirus
• US Treasury: https://home.treasury.gov

Report Scams to the Federal Trade Commission.

This press release was produced by the City of Albuquerque. The views expressed here are the author’s own.