Better Business Bureau warns of fake relief check phone call scam in Connecticut

Scammers call victims claiming they have an unclaimed “relief check” waiting. When they go online to collect it, their personal and financial information is stolen.

CROMWELL, Conn. — The Better Business Bureau Serving Connecticut is warning residents about a “relief check” phone call scam that has been problematic throughout the state and country.

The new phishing scam works by telling victims they have an unpaid “relief check” waiting. To claim the check, victims are informed by an official message that they must visit a website.

When they go online and visit that site, their personal and financial information is stolen.

Throughout the country, the BBB Scam Tracker has received over 800 reports in less than two months regarding this scam. In Connecticut, three residents filed a report about it this week alone.

BBB officials reiterate that the scam attempt begins when a potential victim receives a call, voicemail or text saying they qualify for an unclaimed relief payment. They’ll then be directed to a website.

The website will ask people to enter personal details such as their ZIP Code, phone number, email and home address. Then, they’re pushed to redeem offers that lead to outside sites.

Through this process, scammers can collect information, flood victims with spam and trick them into signing up for unwanted services or charges. Some sites will even install harmful malware onto a victim’s phone, computer or tablet.

To avoid this from occurring, BBB officials say one should hang up and not engage with the caller because government agencies will not call and inform someone to visit a random website to collect money.

Additionally, one should verify official sources and avoid unfamiliar websites. After receiving a call about unclaimed money, one should contact the government agency directly using contact information from its official website.

Never click on links or visit sites that the caller provides.

It’s also important never to share personal or financial information with strangers. This could include but is not limited to Social Security numbers, banking information, ID numbers or addresses.

One should also watch for the use of urgent language that creates a sense of pressure to accomplish the collection in a limited timeframe. Red flags include phrases such as “act now” or “before it’s returned.”

If one does share payment details with what they believe to be a scammer, they should call their bank, which will help them freeze accounts and search for suspicious activity.

Lastly, people should keep a record. This involves saving any texts, emails or call details to share with investigators or the bank if something goes wrong.

Dalton Zbierski is a digital content producer and writer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at dzbierski@FOX61.com.

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Better Business Bureau warns of fake relief check phone call scam in Connecticut

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