Social Security Administration warns of stimulus scam
Scams often increase during a crisis. The COVID-19 pandemic has been no different. Scams have ranged from information about the virus itself to fraudulent information regarding stimulus checks and other financial information.
The Social Security Administration wants to warn senior adults to be aware of scams claiming to be from the SSA or the U.S. Treasury Department.
“If you receive calls, emails, or other communications claiming to be from the U.S. Treasury Department, the Internal Revenue Service, the Social Security Administration, or another government agency offering COVID19 related grants or economic impact payments in exchange for personal financial information, or an advance fee, or charge of any kind, including the purchase of gift cards, please do not respond. These are scams,” according to a news release from SSA.
The SSA also wants people to report these scams.
The Inspector General of Social Security, Gail S. Ennis, is warning the public about fraudulent letters threatening suspension of Social Security benefits due to COVID-19-related office closures. According to the news release, SSA will not suspend or discontinue benefits because offices are closed to the public for in-person service
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General is alerting the public about fraud schemes related to COVID-19. For example, scammers are offering COVID-19 tests to Medicare beneficiaries in exchange for personal details, including Medicare information. However, the services are unapproved and false.
Local police have been notified of residents receiving emails with fake information regarding stimulus checks.
Some residents have received an email that acknowledges “that everyone is struggling and people are concerned about how they are going to pay for things such as rent/mortgage, groceries or home repairs.”
The message then tells the person to click on the link to “put in a request for a stimulus check and other helpful services.”
The last sentence says “billions of dollars have been set aside for families in need.”
Police want to remind residents they do not have to apply for a stimulus check. They should not click any links if they receive any type of message promising money and pay special attention to scams that result from COVID-19 fears.
“Scammers are trying to exploit people’s fears,” said Shawn Vaughn, spokesman for the Texarkana, Texas, Police Department.
Bowie County District Attorney Jerry Rochelle said his office intends to prosecute “anyone engaging in deceptive trade, confidence schemes, selling advice, remedies and cures or price gouging in the jurisdiction to the fullest extent of the law.”
Rochelle said anyone who believes they are being targeted, have been a victim or who knows of ongoing fraud, should contact his office at 903735-4800.
“If appropriate we’ll handle it in-house or we’ll point them to the appropriate law enforcement agency,” Rochelle said.
Prosecuting Attorney Stephanie Potter Barrett, who serves Miller and Lafayette Counties, said consumers who find examples of price gouging or other illicit activity are asked to report such to the Arkansas Attorney General’s website at arkansasag.gov/ covid19/report along with a photo of the suspected gouging or fraud.
Texarkana, Ark., Police Spokeswoman Sgt. Kristi Bennett said her office is following guidelines set by Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge to direct possible fraud victims and reports concerning ongoing fraud directly to the AG’s office.
“We want people to know our AG is standing behind our citizens,” Bennett said.
The Arkansas AG website warns of price gouging and cybercrimes as well. The site has links to report fraud and is offering free webcasts to the public. Visit the Arkansas AG website to sign up for a webcast.