3 Keys to Keep Your Money Safe From Fraud
Confirmed cases of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) are on the rise, and millions of Americans are feeling the economic impact of the virus. As the Coronavirus takes a growing toll on people’s pocketbooks, Congress has put together a stimulus package aimed at boosting the economy. Included in the package is a measure that would allow taxpayers to receive a $1,200 check. Even before United States lawmakers made the details of the legislation final, the Federal Trade Commission began warning people to beware of scammers trying to get their hands on the money and people’s personal information.
With the news of federal government sending checks to all Americans and scammers ready to take advantage, we wanted to remind everyone of a few important facts:
- Anyone claiming they can get you money now is a scammer. The money will come in the form of a check.
- You won’t have to pay anything upfront in order to get this money. There are no fees and no hidden charges. Anyone who says otherwise is a scammer.
- The government won’t call and ask for your Social Security number, bank account or credit card information. Anyone who does is a scammer.
This pandemic is unprecedented in our lifetime and came about quite unexpectedly. There are still many unknowns, and unfortunately, there are fraudsters already taking advantage of this situation. Take a moment to familiarize yourself with the different scams that are out there.
Keeping your financial and personal information safe is important to us. We urge you to be vigilant and cautious when giving personal information and your money. If someone claims to be from our credit union, feel free to reach back out to us and verify its legitimacy. You are a large part of what makes our organization great. We wish you all physical and financial wellness throughout this trying time.