from A1
Money from the new $ 1.9 trillion stimulus package may start to flow out this week. It is one of the biggest incentive bills to date. It includes another cash injection to help struggling Americans and businesses suffer from the economic impact of COVID-19.
Now, as vaccinations increase, there is a new optimism that it will soon be over. Lawmakers who voted on the recent package believe that the additional stimulus money will provide a solid foundation for a new economy and create new opportunities.
But some people have a different idea about stimulus money – they want to steal it. And with millions spending new money soon, the opportunities will be endless for those who use charm, creativity and deception.
“These scammers are out there and are making the headlines,” said Bailey Parker, Director of Communications for the South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs (SCDCA). “They will do everything they can to separate you from your money or your private information.”
There will always be scammers, but now, more than ever, they are aware when potential victims may have some new money. This was the case during the first two rounds of stimulus payments in March and December 2020.
The SCDCA reports that the three most common scams in South Carolina in 2020 were online shopping scams, service and repair scams, and the most reported scam was a crime and fraud warrant.
“It means that someone calls and says that there is an arrest warrant against you or some type of summons that you did not pay and, if you do not pay, you will be thrown in prison,” said Parker.
Locally, there are countless reports of scams, some successful and others not. Potential victims realize during conversation with the scammer or when buying prepaid gift cards, a common request from many con artists, that things are not getting better. Although some people may seem easier to take advantage of, anyone can be caught.
“There is a stereotype that the person who is cheated, usually the assumption is that the person is an older adult. The reality is that each age group is being cheated, ”said Parker. “The ones who report the most are the older adults, they are the ones who really denounce them.”
Parker added that national figures show that younger adults are the most misled. And the two main reasons why victims are involved in the coup are because of an intimidation tactic or because they are told they would receive a reward. The victims will then play a risk and reward game with their heads.
“It looks like a scam, but what if it isn’t and I’m thrown into prison, (…) It looks like a scam, but if it isn’t, I can make five million dollars,” she said.
Among other things, after being sanctioned, the new stimulus package extends tax credits for children, continues to add $ 300 to state unemployment payments and gives direct payments of up to $ 1,400 per person to families earning less than US $ 160,000 a year and individuals earning less than $ 80,000 a year.
“The blows we saw with the first stimulus checks that came out are definitely going to come back,” said Parker. “So, the stimulus payment scams, someone calling saying they can get your stimulus payments faster or you need to provide some kind of private information to receive the stimulus check; None of this is real. “
Additional words of warning from the SCDCA are to do your best not to use an online debit card. Unlike credit cards and gift cards, a debit card goes directly to your bank account. Hackers can find a way to log into your account and drain your money. And if an unknown individual tries to contact you, out of the blue, whether by email, phone or social media, it is considered the number one red flag that a scammer is hanging around.