Americans have heard the possibility that the federal government may be dispensing checks to aid in the loss of jobs and to fuel the economy. Scam artists will use this event to catch people in a weak and vulnerable state. The federal government will NOT contact you via social media platforms such as Facebook nor will they call you and solicite your banking or credit card information for “service fees”.

Tips to Spot a COVID-19 Scam:

• Remember, government agencies do not communicate through social media avenues like Facebook. So, be wary of unsolicited messages.
• Do not pay any money for a “free” government grant. 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 is Grants.gov.
• Check for look-alikes. Be sure to do your research and see if a government agency or organization actually exists. Find contact info on your own and call them to be sure the person you’ve heard from is a legitimate employee of that agency.
• Don’t assume an offer in a social media message is from a real friend. It’s easier for scammers to impersonate real people on social media. Call your friend to verify it was they who contacted you (and share this scam alert with them if they are spreading false information).