Federal officials are warning Hoosiers to watch out for scams related to COVID-19 – everything from fake charities to bogus stimulus checks.
IRS Special Agent In Charge Kathy Enstrom says she expects some of those scams to increase as federal relief money gets sent to Americans.
“The IRS will not call, email or send you a message through social media asking you to sign up or verify any information in order for you to receive the economic impact payment,” Enstrom says.
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Many people will get those payments directly into their bank accounts. But for those who will get paper checks from the IRS, Enstrom says to watch out for fakes.
“So, if you receive a check in the mail that requires you to verify the check online or by calling a number, it’s a fraud,” Enstrom says.
Enstrom says there’s also no way for anyone to speed up their relief payment or get more than the $1,200 per person provided by the federal CARES Act.
Contact Brandon at bsmith@ipbs.org or follow him on Twitter at @brandonjsmith5.
This is a rapidly evolving story, and we are working hard to bring you the most up-to-date information. However, we recommend checking the websites of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the Indiana State Department of Health for the most recent numbers of COVID-19 cases.
