BBB Warns of Stimulus Scams: Here are some great tips to follow and how to report a scammer. Below some great information provided by the BBB with links directly to their site and the direct number to the CT BBB.
Tips to Spot a Government Imposter Scam:
- Stay calm. If you receive any of these impostor calls, resisting the urge to act immediately, no matter how dramatic the story is. Scammers try to get you to act before you have a chance to think.
- Don't reply directly. Don’t respond to the call, text, or email. If you think the message may be real, find the government agencies’ contact information on their website and contact them directly.
- Check for look-alikes.Be sure to do your research and see if a government agency or organization actually exists. Scammers often make up names of agencies and/or grants.
- Do not pay any money for a "free" government grant or program.If you have to pay money to claim a "free" government grant, it is not really free. A real government agency will not ask you to pay an advanced processing fee. The only official list of all U.S. federal grant-making agencies isGrants.gov.
Contact Your Local BBB
Your local Better Business Bureau can assist you with finding businesses and charities you can trust. Find the BBB near you and check out the programs and services offered for consumers and businesses. Start With Trust®.
(860) 740-4500
Watch Out For Stimulus Scams- Now that we’re getting a stimulus check, watch out for those who want to take it from you.
The Better Business Bureau is warning residents of scammers that are taking advantage of the second round of stimulus checks. Officials with the BBB say their Scam Tracker program has received reports of con artists claiming that you need to either pay for your stimulus check or provide personal information to receive it.
Experts say there are several versions of this scam as consumers have reported being contacted by scammers through text messages, emails, and phone calls about the new COVID-19 stimulus checks. Officials say if you receive any of these fraudulent forms of contact, report it to BBB Scam Tracker.
Remember, you will never be asked for personal information by the IRS or any financial company via email. When in doubt, directly call who the email claims to represent.
Source: Yahoo!