Virginia Authorities Warn Of Scams Targeting Relief Checks

ROANOKE, Va. — Officials in Virginia are warning of possible scams related to the coronavirus epidemic. And they’re particularly worried about the $1,200 checks that many Americans will receive from the federal government in the coming weeks and months.

The warning comes from the Internal Revenue Service as well as a new state task force that’s been set up specifically to battle epidemic-related fraud. It’s made up of U.S. Attorneys for the state as well as the FBI and the Virginia State Police.

They issued a warning late last week.

U.S. Attorney G. Zachary Terwilliger said in a statement that Virginians are “likely to see an uptick” in things such as advanced-fee schemes that promise government relief checks.

Scammers may ask people to sign over their checks or get them to “verify” filing information in order to steal money.

Copyright 2020 The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. PHOTO: AP

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