Maryland AG Warns Of Potential Coronavirus Scams, Fraud
By Staff Reporter
Posted on 04/07/20
| News Source: WBAL TV
Baltimore, MD - Apr. 7, 2020 - Maryland's attorney general is warning the public to beware of scams and fraud related to coronavirus relief.
The federal government passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act on March 27. The act aims to provide financial relief to individuals and businesses affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
Key provisions of the act include direct payments to some individuals, based on income, extended unemployment benefits, small business relief, no-cost testing for coronavirus, among other things.
The attorney general is warning of potential scams and fraud schemes aimed at taking advantage of people unfamiliar with how the benefits work.
"Scammers are hard at work trying to come up with ways to steal your personal information or money. Don’t fall for it," Attorney General Brian Frosh said in a statement. "If you need help determining whether something is a scam, our Consumer Protection Division can assist you. Call us at 410-528-8662 or email consumer@oag.state.md.us."
The following information is from the Maryland Attorney General's Office:
- Neither the state of Maryland nor the federal government will contact you by text, email or call with instructions about receiving a stimulus check. Anything like that is likely just a ruse to steal your personal information or money. Any communication claiming to be able to get your stimulus check early is also a scam.
- Anyone who calls claiming to be from the government and asks for your Social Security number or any financial information (bank account number or credit card number, for example) is trying to scam you.
- You will NOT need to pay any money to the government, or anyone, before receiving a stimulus check.
- You do NOT need to complete the U.S. 2020 Census in order to receive a stimulus check.
- If you have questions about stimulus payments to individuals, communicate directly only with the IRS. More information is available at www.irs.gov/coronavirus.
- COVID-19 virus testing is always free, but it MUST be carried out by a qualified health care entity, such as your doctor or a hospital. Anyone claiming that they can sell you an at-home test is a fraudster.
- The federal Small Business Administration does NOT directly administer loans to small businesses. It backs other lenders (such as banks) to provide these loans to businesses. Any unsolicited contact from someone claiming to be able to get your business an SBA loan is a scammer. Read more at WBALTV