Economic stimulus payments arriving now from the federal government are an enticing target for scammers. They have many too-good-to-be-true methods for taking your money:
- Stimulus payment scams — Fake phone calls and phishing schemes try to get your stimulus cash. The IRS won’t phone, text, or email you about your payment and won’t require a fee to get it.
- Contractor scams — Con artists may try to persuade you to sign over your stimulus payment or charge your insurance for poor home improvement work or damage repair.
- Fake insurance protections — Scammers are offering low-priced “corona insurance” to cover COVID-19 treatment. Just hang up.
- Trip cancellation insurance — Standard travel insurance may not cover pandemics. Be wary of offers that cover COVID-19 related trip cancellations.
If you suspect an insurance scheme, report it safely, easily, and anonymously at https://insurance.utah.gov/consumer/fraud/report-fraud.
