TAMPA, Fla. -- Florida's attorney general is warning residents to have their guards up as the federal government begins depositing stimulus checks.
Ashley Moody says scammers know the checks are on the way, and they will try to steal the money and your information.
“Two trillion dollars are being pumped into the U.S. economy as millions of Americans are losing jobs. Commerce has drastically slowed in an attempt to stop the spread of COVID-19," Moody said. "Anytime a government offers financial relief to individuals or businesses, scammers will devise schemes to steal as much of it as possible."
“That is why I am asking Floridians to keep their guard up as the federal government begins to disseminate these individual payments. Stay up to date about how and when you might receive your stimulus payment and be suspicious of anyone requesting personal or financial information in exchange for an expedited deposit.”
The IRS deposited the first round of checks on Saturday. They say deposits will continue over the next several days.
Moody says Floridians who already provided their banking information to the IRS via tax returns do not need to take any action. The IRS will follow up by mailing confirmation notices within a few weeks of the payments. If you receive a notice but not a payment, contact the IRS immediately.
Moody offers the following tips:
- NEVER respond to text messages, emails or ads directing you to click on a link;
- NEVER provide any personal or financial information in response to an unsolicited message;
- NEVER trust Caller ID displays claiming a call is from the IRS—as spoofing technology allows scammers to change phone displays to impersonate government agencies; and
- NEVER make any advance payment in order to secure or expedite access to a benefit.
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