King City PD Alerts Public of Scammers Attempting to Steal Money on Fake HHS Websites and Social Media

 

The King City Police Department reports that scammers are out and about trying to steal money from the public through fake HHS websites and social media scams. 

The Office of the Inspector General of the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is warning the public about a fraud scheme that uses fake social networks and websites to steal money from people offering fake HHS grants.

The scheme involves scammers pretending to offer HHS grants and asking for payment or personal information to receive the fake grants. Scammers can use various social media platforms and chat apps to communicate with you and target you to fake websites, online chats, chat boards or live customer care to lure you into providing your personal or financial information. These scammers can impersonate a "friend" or someone from HHS. While the exact message may vary, the scammer provides false HHS employee information or a link to a fake HHS website, tells you they'll receive free money from a government grant and then asks for money or personal information.

Don't pay the scammers. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will never ask you to pay money to receive a grant.. Scammers may ask you to send gift cards or money to cover processing and/or delivery costs. Do not respond, pay, or share any financial information with anyone who communicates with you through social media, email, or offers free grants or money from HHS.

Do not share your personal information. HHS will not message you through social media to start a grant application.. Fraudsters can offer fake HHS grant money in exchange for personal or financial information, such as your Social Security number, date of birth, address, bank account number, login information, or copies of your personal ID.

Don't be fooled by fake websites. HHS websites always use a domain. gov. HHS doesn't use domains. org, . with the . us.

Report subsidy scam. Never respond to any scam that tries to get you to pay money or provide your personal info for a HHS grant.. If you receive a call or text from this type, file a complaint to the hotline or call 1-800-HHS-TIPS (1-800-447-8477; TTY 1-800-377-4950).