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6
Avoid scams around government payments
As we continue to navigate through this season of uncertainty, it is more important than ever to be on high alert to avoid being scammed. While there are an unprecedented number of different illegal schemes, below are some of the most common. Be knowledgeable. Protect yourself.
SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION SCAMS
With the recently passed Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, scammers are actively working to defraud small business owners and sole proprietors. Above all, if someone claiming to be from the SBA initiates contact with you, consider it fraud and hang up. The SBA will never initially solicit your business by phone or email. The SBA posted the following warning signs:
- Those initiating contact and claiming a link to SBA
- Requests for payment or high fees to obtain a loan
- Email with SBA link, but doesn't end in @SBA.gov
GOVERNMENT ECONOMIC IMPACT PAYMENT SCAMS
Numerous reports have been made to the Federal Trade Commission and the IRS about fraudsters calling and emailing taxpayers attempting to gain their personal identifying information and scam them out of funds. Hang up the calls and delete the emails.
The IRS reminds taxpayers that scammers may:
- Emphasize the words "Stimulus Check" or "Stimulus Payment." The official term is economic impact payment.
- Ask the taxpayer to sign over their economic impact payment check to them.
- Ask by phone, email, text or social media for verification of personal and/or banking information saying that the information is needed to receive or speed up their economic impact payment.
- Suggest that they can get a tax refund or economic impact payment faster by working on the taxpayer's behalf. This scam could be conducted by social media or even in person.
- Mail the taxpayer a bogus check, perhaps in an odd amount, then tell the taxpayer to call a number or verify information online in order to cash it.
Continue to protect yourself, your family and your clients from becoming victims of cybercrime. Stay safe, stay healthy and stay aware.
