Have you seen ads or posts on social media promising you a $6400 stimulus check from the government? Beware – it’s most likely a scam designed to steal your personal information and money. This detailed guide will provide an overview of this stimulus check scam, explain exactly how it works, what to do if you’re a victim, and key takeaways.
This Article Contains:
Overview of the $6400 Stimulus Check Scam
A new wave of scams has emerged offering people a $6400 subsidy stimulus check from the government. These scams are prominently being advertised through sponsored ads and posts on YouTube, TikTok, Facebook and other platforms.
The ads feature well-known celebrities and public figures like Dr. Phil, Joe Rogan, Andrew Tate, Steve Harvey, and even President Joe Biden. The videos are designed to look like these famous faces are endorsing the program and encouraging people to claim their $6400 stimulus check.
In reality, these videos are deep fakes – AI generated videos that are completely fake. The celebrity endorsements are fabricated using voice cloning and video manipulation technology to spread legitimacy and urgency around the $6400 stimulus offer.
When unsuspecting social media users click on these scam ads, they are redirected to fake government agency websites. These phishing sites instruct victims to fill out personal information like their name, date of birth, and contact details to confirm eligibility and claim the stimulus money.
Once the scammers have your information, they will call you while impersonating a government agent. They pressure and trick victims into paying upfront fees and taxes using gift cards, cryptocurrency transfers, bank account access, and other forms of untraceable payment.
In short, the $6400 stimulus check scam preys on financial vulnerabilities during unstable economic times. By offering a tantalizing, time-limited government payout, scammers can convince everyday social media users to hand over money and sensitive data.
How the $6400 Stimulus Check Scam Works
The $6400 stimulus check scam is quite elaborate in its execution across social media platforms, fake websites, and phone interactions. Here is an in-depth look at exactly how this scam operates at each step of the process:
Step 1: Fake Celebrity Endorsement Ads
The first part of this scam is promoting fake ads that use deep fake technology to show endorsements from Dr. Phil, Joe Rogan, Andrew Tate, Steve Harvey, Joe Biden, and other well-known figures. These AI-generated videos are incredibly realistic looking and sounding.
The deep fake celebrity ads claim the government is giving eligible Americans a $6400 subsidy stimulus check that can be claimed by clicking the link or calling the number below. The videos emphasize that funds are limited and will expire soon to create urgency.
Because the ads feature trusted household names, this manipulates viewers into believing the stimulus offer is legitimate. But in reality, all endorsement videos are completely fabricated using deep fake voice and video generation.
Step 2: Phishing Website
Once a social media user clicks the link in the fake stimulus check ad, they are redirected to an official looking phishing website. These scam sites use branding and web addresses designed to appear like government aid agencies.
The phishing site congratulates you on qualifying for the special $6400 stimulus program. To claim your check, it instructs you to confirm eligibility by entering personal details – your full name, date of birth, contact information, home address, social security number, and bank details.
An official disclaimer at the bottom states this information is required to process stimulus payments and will be kept fully confidential. But in reality, your data will be used to steal your identity and money.
Step 3: Follow Up Call from a Fake Government Agent
Within 24 hours of submitting your personal details, expect to receive a call from your “assigned government agent.” This is the scammer using an internet phone service and spoofing caller ID.
The agent will confirm your eligibility for the $6400 based on the info you submitted. They will claim you just need to pay a small upfront “activation fee” of a few hundred dollars to trigger the stimulus deposit into your bank account.
This is a lie designed to extort money. Government stimulus checks do not require any upfront fees. But the scammers apply pressure and false authority to trick victims.
Step 4: Untraceable Payment Demands
Once the fake agent has you on the phone, they will demand untraceable payment of the activation fee using gift cards, cryptocurrency, bank wire transfers, etc. This allows them to obtain money before you realize it’s a scam.
The scammers may also try to gain remote access to your computer or bank account, allowing them to steal your funds directly. Government agents would never do this.
Alternatively, some scammers skip the upfront fee and fake a deposit into your bank account. But they will claim an error occurred and that you need to wire back the $6400 immediately to get your stimulus. This tricks victims into paying the scammers directly.
Step 5: Disappearance Act
After the scammers receive your activation fee or money transfer, they will disappear instantly. Any attempt to call back the agent or agency will fail. Websites and business names involved in the scam will vanish without a trace.
Once the scammers have your money or banking info, you will never hear from them again. You will not receive an actual $6400 stimulus deposit either, just a fake pending transaction notice from scammers.
Unfortunately, victims cannot get back stolen gift cards or cryptocurrency payments. And by the time you realize it’s a scam, the fake agents cannot be tracked down. This is why it’s critical to avoid getting involved with these scams in the first place.
How to Spot the $6400 Stimulus Check Scam
- Be skeptical of unsolicited calls, texts, social media messages, or emails about stimulus programs requiring personal details upfront. Government agencies will not contact you this way.
- Watch for pressure tactics telling you to act fast before the money expires. This creates false urgency to trick people.
- Claims that you need to pay fees, taxes, or processing costs to receive stimulus funds are always fraudulent. Government payouts do not require this.
- Promises of guaranteed stimulus money in exchange for personal data are scams. Eligibility requirements must be checked.
- Requests for untraceable payments like gift cards, cryptocurrency, cash transfers or allowing remote access to your bank account are significant red flags of a scam.
- Poor grammar, spelling mistakes, and inconsistent details are often signs of scammers with no official affiliation.
- Fake celebrity endorsements, badges, and other legitimacy signals should be cross-checked against known government agency contacts.
How to Avoid the $6400 Stimulus Check Scam
- Never give out your personal information to unverified parties who contact you promising government grants or stimulus checks.
- Don’t click links, call numbers, or engage further with any improbable stimulus offers you see online or on social media.
- Report stimulus scams to platforms when you see them so the content can be removed before others get duped.
- Only use official government websites and phone numbers to check your eligibility for stimulus programs, without providing unnecessary details.
- Consult with your state or local consumer protection agency if you are ever unsure about a government aid program’s legitimacy.
- If contacted about an enticing stimulus offer, ignore it or hang up the phone. Verify real details through government hotlines or your personal account online.
Exercising caution, avoiding engagement, and confirming legitimacy are the keys to steering clear of stimulus check scams aiming to steal your money or data. Only provide the minimum details required through official government channels.
How to Spot This Scam on Social Media
How to Spot the Stimulus Check Scam on Facebook
Facebook is one of the leading platforms where scammers are promoting the fake $6400 stimulus check offer using a mix of stolen images, fake accounts, and fabricated ads. Here’s what to watch out for:
- Sponsored Ads – Be suspicious of Facebook sponsored posts and ads promising a special government stimulus check program. These scams often use clickbait phrases like “claim your $6400 payment now!” and stolen celebrity images.
- Imposter Pages – Watch for fake government agency pages on Facebook using slight misspellings in their name (ex. “U.S. Stimulis Agency”). These mimic real pages but are filled with scam posts.
- Comments – Scam Facebook posts will be flooded with suspicious comments like “Thanks, I just claimed mine!” from fake accounts. The scammers create these fake comments to add credibility.
- Links – Never click shortened or questionable links in Facebook stimulus check posts or ads. Use URL preview tools to inspect where they really lead, which is often phishing sites.
- Profile Details – Scrutinize the profiles posting stimulus content or running related ads. Scammer profiles often have stock images, international locations, and new account creation dates as red flags.
Only trust information from legitimate government social media accounts like IRS, FTC, and USA.gov. Report all suspicious stimulus check ads, posts, pages, and accounts to Facebook as potential scams.
How to Identify the Scam on YouTube
YouTube is flooded with high production scam ads leveraging deep fake celebrity endorsement videos to spread the $6400 stimulus check hoax. Here’s what to look for:
- Deep Fake Videos – The scam YouTube ads use AI to generate fake endorsement videos of Dr. Phil, Joe Rogan, Steve Harvey and others. While realistic, their messaging should raise red flags.
- Ad Transparency – Legitimate YouTube video ads are required to disclose they are paid promotions. Scam stimulus check ads fail to include this, indicating they are fraudulent.
- Links – Scam video descriptions contain links unrelated to actual government agencies (ex. clstimulusbenefit[.]com). Do not click these affiliate links to phishing sites.
- Comments – Just like Facebook, scam YouTube ads have dubious comments from bot accounts praising the program. Comments are often disabled to prevent warnings.
- Channel Details – Stimulus check scam YouTube channels use fake usernames, depict stock character profile images, lack uploads, and joined recently.
Instead of ads, rely on videos from government agency YouTube channels like SSA, USA.gov, and the White House for real stimulus program updates. Report all suspicious stimulus check ads as scams.
Detecting the TikTok Stimulus Check Scam
From fake testimonials to deep fakes, TikTok is also being leveraged to spread the $6400 stimulus check scam using tactics aimed at younger users. Watch for:
- AI Impersonation – Short TikTok videos with a stimulus pitch use deep fakes of celebrities. The unrealistic offers coming from what appears to be trusted figures should raise alarms.
- Bot Comments – Just like other platforms, fake TikTok accounts flood scam stimulus posts with generic praise and thanks to appear legitimate.
- Hashtags – Scam TikTok posts use hashtags like #6400stimulus and #stimuluscheck to improve discovery. But info there is unreliable compared to official agency accounts.
- Info Request – TikTok scams often direct users to comment “info” to receive stimulus details, then provide shady email addresses and websites via reply.
- Profile Analysis – Scrutinize TikTok profiles promoting unrealistic stimulus promises for red flags like stock imagery, foreign locations, or links in bios.
Rely on updates from government accounts like hhs.gov and cdc.gov for actual reliable stimulus check assistance. Report suspicious videos making improbable stimulus claims as scams to help keep the TikTok community informed.
What to Do If You Already Fell Victim to the Scam
If you already engaged with the $6400 stimulus check scam and were tricked into making payments or giving personal info, take the following steps immediately:
- Contact your bank – If scammers gained any access to your bank accounts online or demanded wire transfers, call your bank immediately. They can potentially stop or reverse payments if caught fast enough. Ask to freeze accounts and watch for fraudulent charges.
- Change passwords – Change online account passwords and security questions for banking, email, and any government services like Social Security that the scammers may have accessed. Enable two-factor authentication wherever possible.
- Cancel compromised cards – If you provided gift card payment, report compromised card numbers immediately so they cannot be drained further by scammers. Contact the merchant and law enforcement about potential gift card refunds.
- Monitor credit reports – Check your credit reports frequently for any signs of new accounts or loans opened by scammers with your information. Place a fraud alert and credit freeze if needed.
- Report details to agencies – File detailed reports about the scam encounter with the FTC, FBI, Treasury Inspector General, and Internet Crime Complaint Center. Provide any website links, phone numbers, agent names, or payment details.
- Warn contacts – Let your friends and family know about the $6400 stimulus check scam in case the fraudsters target them next using details from you. Share awareness to prevent more victims.
- Seek legal counsel – Consult a lawyer if you lost significant funds or personal data to explore legal options in recovering losses and holding scammers accountable. Law enforcement rarely pursues individual scam cases.
- Learn from the experience – In the future, remember government agencies will never call or text you out of the blue requiring upfront fees, gift cards, or account access. Verify real government contacts before providing personal details. If an offer seems too good to be true, it always is.
Frequently Asked Questions about the $6400 Stimulus Check Scam
Many people have questions about the legitimacy of ads and offers claiming the government is providing $6400 stimulus checks. This FAQ provides clarity on spotting and avoiding this prevalent scam.
What exactly is the $6400 stimulus check scam?
This scam uses online ads, phone calls, and social media posts to falsely promise eligible Americans a $6400 stimulus payment from the government. Scammers impersonate government affiliates and claim funds are limited to pressure victims. They steal your personal data and money through fees, gift cards, or bank access.
How do scammers advertise the fake $6400 stimulus check?
Scammers rely heavily on fabricated social media ads featuring AI deep fakes of celebrities like Dr. Phil and Joe Biden endorsing the program. YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok ads mimic government stimulus programs but contain links to phishing sites.
Is the government really issuing $6400 stimulus checks?
No, the $6400 stimulus amount is completely fabricated. Ignore any offers stating the government will provide stimulus funds in exchange for personal information and upfront fees or payments.
How do scammers profit from the $6400 stimulus check scam?
Once scammers obtain your information through phishing sites, they call impersonating government agents. They trick victims into paying fake fees and taxes using wire transfers, gift cards, crypto, or bank account access.
What government agency would distribute $6400 stimulus checks?
No legitimate government agencies, including the IRS and Treasury Department, are offering $6400 stimulus checks. Any outreach referencing this specific amount is a fraudulent scam attempt.
Is there a time limit to claim the $6400 stimulus check?
The scammers impose made up deadlines of 24-48 hours to file your claim and receive funds. This creates false urgency to pressure victims into providing personal data and payment. Disregard any limited-time offers.
Do I need to pay fees to receive a real government stimulus payment?
No, legitimate government stimulus programs will never require upfront fees, processing charges, or taxes to deliver your stimulus funds. Beware if asked to pay gift cards or transfer cash.
Why do scammers need my personal information for the $6400 stimulus check?
By gathering sensitive data like your social security number, bank details, and date of birth, scammers can steal your identity and access your finances to drain money. Never share this data unless through official government sites and programs.
What should I do if the $6400 stimulus check scam contacted me?
If you encounter suspected scam offers, ads, or communications related to a $6400 stimulus check, ignore them. Report the scams to appropriate consumer protection agencies. Contact your bank if they gained any financial information.
How can I safely check my eligibility for real stimulus programs?
Only use the official IRS website and your personal online account to check eligibility and status of stimulus payments you may qualify for. Never provide personal or financial details in response to unsolicited requests.
Stay vigilant for outreach referencing fake $6400 stimulus check programs. Verify legitimacy directly through government websites and hotlines before providing your details to avoid potential identity theft and financial fraud.
The Bottom Line on the $6400 Stimulus Check Scam
The promise of free government money is always enticing. But legitimate government stimulus programs will never demand upfront payments, account access, or use pressure tactics. Be very wary if you get contacted about stimulus checks requiring personal details and payment.
Key takeaways on the $6400 stimulus check scam:
- The scam uses fake celebrity ads, phishing sites, and phone agents impersonating government affiliates.
- Scammers falsely offer $6400 stimulus checks in exchange for your personal info and untraceable payments.
- Tactics include upfront activation fees, fake stimulus deposits, demanding gift cards or crypto, and remote access to financial accounts.
- If victimized, immediately contact banks, report compromised cards, place fraud alerts on your credit, and file complaints with agencies.
- Never trust offers involving government aid programs that require personal details and payments up front. Verify real government points of contact.
Stay vigilant against stimulus check scams by confirming legitimacy before providing any sensitive information. If an offer seems questionable, search official government agency websites for verification or consult with an attorney before proceeding.
