As second round of stimulus checks hit bank accounts, AG Tong, DCP Commissioner warn Connecticut residents of potential scams

JANUARY 8, 2021 -- Attorney General William Tong and Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection Commissioner Michelle H. Seagull are warning Connecticut residents to be on the lookout for potential scams involving the second round of stimulus checks from the federal government.

Stimulus checks from the Internal Revenue Service began arriving this week for many people after the federal government enacted a $900 billion economic stimulus package, the second in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.

The Connecticut Office of the Attorney General and Department of Consumer Protection warn that bad actors looking to steal Americans’ personal information and money might not be far behind.

“Connecticut residents cannot afford to hand over these checks to scammers,” said Attorney General William Tong. “Stay alert for bad actors and be wary of any text message, email, or phone call from someone claiming to be from the federal government. If you think you may have been contacted by a scammer, hang up the phone and don’t click that link. If you aren’t sure, turn to official sources to verify or contact our offices for assistance.”

"These long-awaited stimulus checks are needed by so many people, but that won’t stop scammers from trying to steal from you,” said Consumer Protection Commissioner Michelle H. Seagull. “If anyone calls, emails or texts asking for personal information or money in exchange for your stimulus check, it’s a scam.”

Attorney General Tong and Commissioner Seagull offer these tips to prevent falling victim to a scam artist:

• The federal government will not ask you to pay money upfront to receive a stimulus check. No fees. No charges.
• The federal government will never call to ask for your Social Security number, bank account or credit card number. Anyone who asks for this personal identifying information is a scammer.
• No matter how the payment is disbursed, only a scammer will ask you to pay to receive it.
• Some people will receive the payment in the form of an Economic Impact Payments (EIP) prepaid card. The card is not a scam, and there are ways to cash or use the card without fees.