Don't Fall For GetGigRefund's Fake $32k Covid Relief Offer

Have you come across a website called GetGigRefund.com claiming you can get up to $32,000 in Covid relief funds? As tempting as it sounds, this offer is 100% a scam. Here’s what you need to know.

Scam Overview

GetGigRefund.com promises self-employed individuals and independent contractors up to $32,220 in retroactive Covid relief under something called the “Self-Employed Tax Credit” (SETC).

According to the site, this program will compensate you for income lost during 2020-2021 due to Covid lockdowns, illness, quarantines, vaccine side effects, caring for others, and school closures.

The site claims they’ve already helped thousands of small business owners quickly and easily obtain these funds. All you need to do is provide personal details like your SSN and upload past tax returns.

This is nothing but a scam designed to steal people’s personal information. Here are the red flags:

The website domain ends in .com instead of .gov. It is not run by any government agency.
The SETC does not exist. The IRS has warned about scammers promoting a fake “Self Employment Tax Credit.”
The sick and family leave tax credits promoted on the site were only temporary programs in 2020-2021. They are not available for 2023.
GetGigRefund.com just launched in mid-2024. There’s no history or proof they’ve actually helped people get Covid relief.
The site asks for sensitive information like SSNs. This is a sign they plan to commit identity theft.
Their claims of being able to get thousands of people $32,000 in just 20 days are simply unrealistic.
GetGigRefund.com is a middleman, not a direct lender. They likely sell your data after harvesting it.

This scam preys on vulnerable self-employed people and small business owners who are still struggling from losses sustained during Covid lockdowns. But no short online application will magically result in $32,000 in free government money.

How the Scam Works

Here is exactly how the GetGigRefund.com scam operates to steal people’s personal information:

You encounter GetGigRefund.com online, on social media, or in an advertisement. The site markets itself as a way to claim up to $32,220 in Covid relief for self-employed people.
You are directed to provide personal details like your name, contact info, SSN, and past tax returns. The site claims this is needed to “verify eligibility.”
After entering your info, GetGigRefund.com’s “accountants” supposedly calculate the tax credit you can claim based on days of work missed for Covid reasons.
You then digitally sign a service agreement authorizing their accountants to prepare filings on your behalf and submit them to the IRS.
GetGigRefund.com emails you finalized documents to print, sign, and mail to the IRS using their prepaid envelopes. Supposedly this triggers the IRS to send your check for up to $32,000.
In reality, GetGigRefund.com pockets your personal data and sells it to other scammers. They have no real accountants or ability to get Covid relief funds from the IRS.
Weeks later, you realize no check is coming. But GetGigRefund.com already has your SSN and other info to commit identity theft or sell to other crooks.

This step-by-step scam process allows the site to harvest valuable personal data under the guise of providing a beneficial service. But the promised Covid relief funds will never materialize.

What to Do if You’re a Victim

If you already submitted personal information to GetGigRefund.com, take these steps right away:

Contact the IRS to report the scam at 1-800-829-1040. They can place additional protections on your account if needed.
Monitor your credit reports and accounts closely for any signs of misuse of your information.
Consider placing a credit freeze with the major credit bureaus to lock down your credit from scammers.
File an identity theft report with the FTC at IdentityTheft.gov. This helps create a record of the scam.
Contact your bank and other accounts to warn them about potential fraud. Change passwords and security questions where possible.
Be extremely cautious about any further contact from GetGigRefund.com or anyone claiming to be affiliated with them. Do not give additional personal or financial details.
Consult an attorney regarding any potential legal action you can take against the scammers. They may be liable for losses due to fraud or identity theft.

The Bottom Line

Websites like GetGigRefund.com claiming to provide easy access to Covid relief funds in exchange for personal information are malicious scams. No such Self-Employed Tax Credit exists, and sharing your SSN or tax details with them only enables identity theft.

Legitimate government programs do not operate via questionable .com websites. Always verify any offers directly with the IRS or other agencies. Be wary of anyone claiming you’re entitled to thousands in stimulus or relief funds in exchange for upfront fees or your sensitive data. If it seems too good to be true, it always is.

Frequently Asked Questions About the GetGigRefund.com Scam

1. What is GetGigRefund.com?

GetGigRefund.com is a website that promises self-employed individuals and independent contractors up to $32,000 in retroactive COVID-19 relief funds. However, it is a scam designed to harvest people’s personal information. There is no such thing as their advertised “Self-Employed Tax Credit.”

2. How does the GetGigRefund scam work?

The site asks you to enter personal details like your SSN and tax returns to “verify eligibility” for up to $32,220 in COVID relief. You then sign a form authorizing their “accountants” to prepare filings for submission to the IRS. But in reality, they pocket your data and sell it without ever getting you any stimulus money.

3. What is the Self-Employed Tax Credit they advertise?

The Self-Employed Tax Credit does not exist. It is completely fabricated by GetGigRefund.com to lend legitimacy to their scheme. The IRS itself has warned people about scammers promoting a fake tax credit under this name.

4. Why is this website a scam?

GetGigRefund.com shows multiple signs of being a scam, including being a .com site with no history, making unrealistic claims, requesting sensitive personal financial information, and impersonating a government program that does not exist.

5. What are the red flags of this scam?

Red flags include GetGigRefund.com being a private .com domain, launching recently in 2024, claiming to have already helped thousands get COVID funds quickly, and asking for SSNs and tax returns to “verify eligibility” for a made-up tax credit.

6. What happens if I already gave them my personal information?

Contact the IRS immediately about the scam and potential identity theft. Also monitor your credit reports for any misuse of your data. Place a credit freeze if needed and file an ID theft report with the FTC.

7. How can I report this scam?

To report this scam, contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040. You can also file a complaint about GetGigRefund.com with the FTC and Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).

8. How can I protect myself from similar scams?

Be wary of offers for stimulus funds, tax credits, or other government benefits in exchange for an upfront fee or your personal data. Verify directly with official agencies like IRS.gov or SSA.gov. Check for signs of scams like .com domains and urgent calls for money or sensitive info.

9. Where can I get legitimate help with COVID-19 relief funds?

Consult official government agency resources like the SBA’s website to learn about legitimate COVID-19 relief options still available in 2024. Do not trust third-party websites claiming access to special stimulus programs or credits that require your SSN or bank details..

This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute professional, financial or legal advice. The content is intended for general information and should not be construed as definitive guidance. Information contained herein is subject to change without notice.  For concerns, please contact us via the provided form.
If you are the owner of the website or product in question and wish to offer clarifications regarding your business or website, please reach out to us through the provided Contact Form.

10 Rules to Avoid Online Scams

Here are 10 practical safety rules to help you avoid malware, online shopping scams, crypto scams, and other online fraud. Each tip includes a quick “if you already got hit” action.

Stop and verify before you click, log in, download, or pay.

Most scams win by creating urgency. Verify using a trusted method: type the website address yourself, use the official app, or call a known number (not the one in the message).

If you already clicked: close the page, do not enter passwords, and run a malware scan.
Keep your operating system, browser, and apps updated.

Updates patch security holes used by malware and malicious ads. Turn on automatic updates where possible.

If you saw a scary “update now” pop-up: close it and update only through your device settings or the official app store.
Use layered protection: antivirus plus an ad blocker.

Antivirus helps block malware. An ad blocker reduces scam redirects, phishing pages, and malvertising.

If your browser is acting weird: remove unknown extensions, reset the browser, then run a full scan.
Install apps, software, and extensions only from official sources.

Avoid cracked software, “keygens,” and random downloads. During installs, choose Custom/Advanced and decline bundled offers you do not recognize.

If you already installed something suspicious: uninstall it, restart, and scan again.
Treat links and attachments as untrusted by default.

Phishing often impersonates delivery services, banks, and popular brands. If it is unexpected, do not open attachments or log in through the message.

If you entered credentials: change the password immediately and enable 2FA.
Shop safely: research the store, then pay with protection.

Be cautious with brand-new stores, “closing sale” stories, and prices that make no sense. Prefer credit cards or PayPal for dispute options. Avoid wire transfers, gift cards, and crypto payments.

If you already paid: contact your card issuer or PayPal quickly to dispute the transaction.
Crypto rule: never pay a “fee” to withdraw or recover money.

Common patterns include fake profits, then “tax,” “gas,” or “verification” fees. Another is a “recovery agent” who demands upfront crypto.

If you already sent crypto: stop paying, save evidence (wallet addresses, TXIDs, chats), and report the scam to the platform used.
Secure your accounts with unique passwords and 2FA (start with email).

Use a password manager and unique passwords for every account. Enable 2FA using an authenticator app when possible.

If you suspect an account takeover: change passwords, sign out of all devices, and review recent logins and recovery settings.
Back up important files and keep one backup offline.

Backups protect you from ransomware and device failure. Keep at least one backup on an external drive that is not always connected.

If you suspect infection: do not connect backup drives until the system is clean.
If you think you are a victim: stop losses, document evidence, and escalate fast.

Move quickly. Speed matters for disputes, account recovery, and limiting damage.
- Stop payments and contact: do not send more money or respond to the scammer.
- Call your bank or card issuer: block transactions, replace the card if needed, and start a dispute or chargeback.
- Secure your email first: change the email password, enable 2FA, and remove unfamiliar recovery options.
- Secure other accounts: change passwords, enable 2FA, and log out of all sessions.
- Scan your device: remove suspicious apps or extensions, then run a full malware scan.
- Save evidence: screenshots, emails, order pages, tracking pages, wallet addresses, TXIDs, and chat logs.
- Report it: to the payment provider, marketplace, social platform, exchange, or wallet service involved.

These rules are intentionally simple. Most online losses happen when decisions are rushed. Slow down, verify independently, and use payment methods and account controls that give you recourse.

Don’t Fall for GetGigRefund’s Fake $32k Covid Relief Offer