FRAUD ALERT
Checks from the Government-
Some important information from the
Federal Trade Commission
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 really 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 call to ask for your Social Security number, bank account, or credit card number. 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.
Look, normally we’d wait to know what the payment plan looks like before we put out a message like this. But these aren’t normal times. And we predict that the scammers are 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 become a victim of one of these scams, please contact the Bucks County Consumer Protection Department via email at consumerprotection@buckscounty.org If you do not have access to a computer, please call the office at 215-348-6060.
Bucks County Crimes Against Older Adults Task Force
Bucks County District Attorney’s Office: 215-348-6344
Bucks County Area Agency on Aging: 267-880-5700
Bucks County Coroner’s Office: 215-348-3852
Network of Victim Assistance (NOVA): 1-800-675-6900
A Woman’s Place (AWP): 1-800-220-8116
Bucks County Office of Consumer Protection: 215-348-6060
Bucks County Register of Wills: 215-348-6265
US Dept. of Health and Human Services/OIG: 1-800-447-8477
www.buckscounty.org/CrimesAgainstOlderAdults
24 - HOUR HOTLINE: 1-800-490-8505