COVID stimulus / "new check" impersonation scam

This scam mutates with the news cycle. Variants exploit lingering belief that federal stimulus payments might continue, or invent new programs entirely: "fourth stimulus," "inflation relief check," "energy assistance payment," "COVID late-claim recovery."

The pitch arrives by text, email, or social-media ad. To "claim" the payment, you click through to a phishing site that captures bank account info and SSN, or you're asked to pay a small "processing fee" via gift card or prepaid debit.

There is no fourth stimulus. There has been no general federal personal-payment program since 2021. Specific programs (state energy assistance, tax-credit-based refunds) exist but are claimed through official channels, not surprise emails.

• "New" stimulus check you've never read about anywhere reputable.
• Click here to "verify identity" by entering SSN, bank account, and DOB.
• Small "processing fee" via gift card or prepaid debit.
• Urgency: "claim within 24 hours before funds are returned."
• Email from a non-.gov domain pretending to be Treasury or IRS.
• Site asks for your driver's license photo and bank login.
• Robocall version: "press 1 to verify your eligibility."

1. Real stimulus and federal programs are announced by Treasury/IRS at irs.gov. Verify there before trusting any "stimulus" message.
2. The IRS never requires upfront payment for any refund or benefit.
3. Real payments arrive via direct deposit (using bank info from your last filed return) or paper check by mail — never via gift card or prepaid debit.
4. Search the program name + "scam" to surface complaints.
5. For tax-credit refunds, your tax preparer or IRS account already shows them.

• Cancel any gift cards immediately.
• Place credit freezes at all three bureaus.
• Change passwords on your bank and email.
• Enable an IRS Identity Protection PIN at irs.gov/ippin.
• File with the FTC, IC3, and IdentityTheft.gov.
• Monitor your tax filing — fraudsters sometimes file fake returns in your name.

• Do not click "claim your stimulus" links from email or text.
• Do not pay a "processing fee" for any federal payment.
• Do not share your bank login or SSN through a website you reached via SMS.
• Do not trust caller-ID showing Treasury or IRS.

• FTC: reportfraud.ftc.gov — the broadest US fraud intake; reports flow to thousands of law-enforcement agencies.
• FBI IC3: ic3.gov — the right destination when the scam is internet-enabled (phishing, BEC, romance, crypto).
• CFPB: consumerfinance.gov/complaint — for complaints about banks, money transmitters, payment apps, credit cards, debt collection.
• IdentityTheft.gov — if any identity information (SSN, driver's license, account credentials) was shared.
• Your bank or payment platform. Call the number on the back of your card or use the app's in-product help. Time matters — wires can sometimes be recalled within hours; ACH and Zelle are harder but worth trying.