Beware of Stimulus Check Scams

Stimulus scams are on the rise. SAG-AFTRA members are reminded about protecting personal information as criminals may attempt scams related to the federal government’s upcoming stimulus checks.

Stimulus checks will be issued through direct deposit as possible (using tax information from 2019 or 2018 where filers indicated a checking account for direct deposit), and checks will be mailed to all others who qualify for stimulus payments.

The federal government will not be contacting anyone for financial or other personal information through an email, text or phone call. No one. 

You should be on the lookout for:

• Robocalls. Hang up immediately. The federal government is not calling people to request personal information.
• Increase in email or text phishing schemes from criminals looking to gather information. The federal government is not emailing or texting people.
• Requests for your PayPal account information, Social Security number, bank account number or anything else related to you receiving a stimulus check. Don’t provide it. These are not legitimate requests. You will not receive any legitimate phone calls, emails, texts or in-person visits from the federal government about stimulus checks.
• Tell your friends and family it’s time to practice some real social distancing from scammers.

For more on COVID-19-related scams and how to avoid them, visit the Federal Trade Commission’s website.