Released by the Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services …
As the Coronavirus takes a growing toll on people’s pocketbooks, there are reports that the government will soon be sending money by check or direct deposit to each of us. The details are still being worked out, but there are a few important things to know, no matter what this looks like.
1. The government will not ask you to pay anything up front to get this money. No fees. No charges. No nothing.
2. The government will not ask for your Social Security number, bank account, or credit card number over the telephone. Anyone who does is a scammer.
3. These reports of checks aren’t yet a reality. Anyone who tells you they can get you the money now is a scammer.
These are not normal times, and scammers are probably already gearing up to take advantage of this. So, remember: no matter what this payment winds up being, only scammers will ask you to pay to get it. If you spot one of these scams, please report it at 1-88-HELP-FLA (435-7352) or 1-800-FLA-AYUDA(352-9832 in Espanol, or file a complaint at www.FloridaConsumerHelp.com.
Follow these tips to protect yourself from scams, including coronavirus scams:
* Do not respond to calls or texts from unknown numbers, or any others that appear suspicious.
* Never share your personal or financial information via email, text messages, or over the phone.
* Be cautious if you’re being pressured to share any information or make a payment immediately.
* Scammers often spoof phone numbers to trick you into answering or responding. Remember that government agencies will never call you to ask for personal information or money.
* Do not click any links in a text message. If a friend sends you a text with a suspicious link that seems out of character, call them to make sure they weren’t hacked.
* Always use the Check-A-Charity tool at www.FloridaConsumerHelp.com before making a donation.
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