Full Notification

Coronavirus Stimulus Check Scams

The federal government has approved stimulus payments to aid American citizens during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The breakdown:
Individual taxpayers earning less than $75,000 to receive a payment of $1,200. Married couples earning less than $150,000 combined to receive a payment of $2,400. An additional $500 per qualifying child under the age of 17.

General advice and anticipated scams:
You do not need to sign up with the federal government to receive payment, the IRS will use prior tax returns from 2018/2019.

You do not need to pay to receive their payment, the government will at no time require money to issue a stimulus check.

Direct deposit of funds are anticipated to take approximately three weeks, issued checks are anticipated to take longer. DO NOT provide any “processing fees” to any party claiming to be able to speed up the deposit of funds. No one is able to expedite the issuance of stimulus funds.

Do not open emails or click links regarding the COVID-19 stimulus unless you have verified the source to be legitimate. Opening emails or links can expose personal information and/or lock devices requiring a “ransom” to unlock the device.

The government will NEVER contact you requesting a social security number, credit card information, banking information or credentials for websites such as PayPal or Venmo. If you receive a stimulus check for an amount different than the breakdown listed above, or if the check is required to be verified on the internet or over the phone, it is likely a scam. Do not cash the check, do not attempt to verify the check, call the Rocky River Police Department immediately.

You should receive a paper notice in the mail 1-3 weeks after the issuance of COVID-19 Stimulus funds. The notice will contain the address where the payment was sent and on what date. If, after receiving the notice, the direct deposit or check is not received, contact the IRS.

For more information, or if you feel you have been the victim of a COVID-19 Stimulus Check scam contact:

IRS: www.irs.gov
Ohio Attorney General's Office: www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov
Rocky River Crime Prevention Officer Chris Camp: [email protected]