How to help keep everyone safe from scams

Help spread the word and keep those you care about from falling for a scam, regardless of their age or health status.

Types of scams to watch out for

Funeral expense scams

If you lost a loved one to COVID-19, you may be eligible for a government program that pays for funeral expenses. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will pay up to $9,000 for funeral expenses for loved ones who died of COVID-19. Survivors can apply for benefits by contacting FEMA, toll-free, at 844-684-6333.

FEMA reports that scammers are contacting people and pretending to offer to register them for funeral expense benefits.

What to do: To avoid government imposter scams, here are some tips:

• FEMA will not contact you until you call or apply for assistance.

• The government won’t ask you to pay anything to get this benefit.

• Don’t give your own or your deceased loved one’s personal or financial information to anyone who contacts you out of the blue.

COVID-19 vaccine scams

As the COVID-19 vaccine is rolled out throughout the country, it’s important to be on the lookout for scams. Beware of scams offering early access to vaccines for a fee. Don't share your personal or financial information if someone calls, texts, or emails you promising to get you the vaccine for a fee. Also, keep in mind that Medicare covers the cost of the COVID-19 vaccine. COVID-19 vaccines are also free to others throughout the country, although providers may charge an administration fee.

What to do: For the latest vaccine updates, check with the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC).

COVID-19 testing scams

Scammers are preying on people looking for COVID tests. Some fraudsters are offering unauthorized test kits. Others are setting up phony testing sites to steal your personal information. The sites may look real with tents and hazmat suits – but then you don’t get the test results, you’re charged for a “free” test, or they use your information for identity theft.

What to do: To avoid COVID testing scams, keep in mind:

• Do not give your Social Security number or passport number in order to get a COVID test.

• Find legitimate testing sites. Check with your state or local health department or your doctor.

• Look for FDA-authorized test kits. Check the FDA’s list of authorized antigen tests and PCR tests before buying. Now, you can get four free COVID test kits per household at COVIDtests.gov. Plus, insurance companies are required to cover the costs of up to eight over-the-counter COVID tests per month for each covered person.

• When shopping online for test kits, pay by credit card. If you’re charged for an order you never got, or for a product that's not as advertised, you can contact your credit card company and dispute the charge.

Unemployment benefits scams

Scammers are fraudulently filing unemployment claims using stolen personal identity information. If you receive a 1099-G tax form for unemployment benefits that you didn’t claim or receive, you may be a victim of identity theft. Someone may have used your personal information to receive unemployment benefits without your knowledge.

What to do: Follow these four steps to report unemployment benefits fraud and to protect yourself:

• Report the fraud immediately to the unemployment office in the state where it occurred. If you did claim unemployment benefits and know the amount listed on your 1099-G form is incorrect, ask your state unemployment office for a corrected 1099-G.

• File your federal tax return and include only the unemployment income you received. You don’t have to wait to receive a corrected 1099-G. The IRS also recommends getting an Identity Protection (IP) PIN to prevent anyone from filing a federal tax return using your Social Security Number.

• Monitor your credit for any other fraud. During the pandemic, you can check your credit reports each week for free. The FTC also recommends you either request a free, one-year fraud alert or freeze your credit with the three credit bureaus.

• Help stop future unemployment identity fraud by filing a federal complaint with the U.S. Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud or calling 1-866-720-5721.

Suspicious transactions and deposits

Some people have reported receiving prepaid cards in the mail with unemployment benefits that they didn’t apply for. Others have reported suspicious transactions and deposits in their bank accounts involving unemployment benefits. Once you receive the funds, a scammer may contact you, pretend to be from the government, and tell you the benefits were deposited by mistake. They will then ask you to send them the money.

What to do: If you receive an unexpected prepaid card for unemployment benefits or see an unexpected deposit from your state in your bank account, report it right away to your state unemployment insurance office and your bank or credit union. If you believe you have been the victim of identity theft, report the incident to your local police and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).