COVID 19 Relief SBA Gov Scam

The Office of Inspector General recognizes that we are facing unprecedented times and is alerting the public about potential fraud schemes related to economic stimulus programs offered by the U.S. Small Business Administration in response to the Novel Coronavirus Pandemic (COVID-19). The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), the largest financial assistance bill to date, includes provisions to help small businesses. Fraudsters have already begun targeting small business owners during these economically difficult times. Be on the lookout for grant fraud, loan fraud, and phishing COVID19 Relief SBA Gov scams.

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COVID 19 Relief SBA Gov Scam

Scams and Fraud Schemes

Grants

  • SBA does not initiate contact on either 7a or Disaster loans or grants. If you are proactively contacted by someone claiming to be from the SBA, suspect fraud.

Loans

  • If you are contacted by someone promising to get approval of an SBA loan, but requires any payment up front or offers a high interest bridge loan in the interim, suspect fraud.
  • SBA limits the fees a broker can charge a borrower to 3% for loans $50,000 or less and 2% for loans $50,000 to $1,000,000 with an additional ¼% on amounts over $1,000,000. Any attempt to charge more than these fees is inappropriate.
  • If you have a question about getting a SBA disaster loan, call 800-659-2955 or send an email to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.
  • If you have questions about other SBA lending products, call SBA’s Answer Desk at 800-827-5722 or send an email to answerdesk@sba.gov.

Phishing

  • If you are in the process of applying for an SBA loan and receive email correspondence asking for PII, ensure that the referenced application number is consistent with the actual application number.
  • Look out for phishing attacks/scams utilizing the SBA logo. These may be attempts to obtain your personally identifiable information (PII),to obtain personal banking access, or to install ransomware/malware on your computer.
  • Any email communication from SBA will come from accounts ending with sba.gov.
  • The presence of an SBA logo on a webpage does not guaranty the information is accurate or endorsed by SBA. Please cross-reference any information you receive with information available at www.sba.gov.

Report Fraud

Report any suspected fraud to OIG’s Hotline at 800-767-0385 or online at www.sba.gov.

Check the comment section below for additional information, share what you know, or ask a question about this article by leaving a comment below. And, to quickly find answers to your questions, use our search Search engine.

Note: Some of the information in samples on this website may have been impersonated or spoofed.

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Comments, Questions, Answers, or Reviews

Comments (Total: 17)

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May 12, 2021 at 8:08 AM by
COVID 19 Relief SBA Gov Scam
info

"Von: Daum Community <info@xsecuredcloudservices.com>

Datum: 12. Mai 2021 um 07:36:44 GMT 8

Betreff: covid19 relief loan

Antwort an: daum.assist@aol.com



Get a covid19 relief loan of upto $250,000.00 USD with just a one-time application fee of $280 USD, and no collateral demand.

Contact us at daum.assist@aol.com or send a message to Whatsapp: 1(202)871-2078 for more details and application.

Thanks and best wishes

Dr. Ronald Hasbrouck

Financial Manager/Advisor"

Here is another scam.

Delete

June 15, 2020 at 12:26 PM by
COVID 19 Relief SBA Gov Scam
an anonymous user from: New York, United States

like it says above, verify it has the correct SBA Application Number you would have been given when you filled out the Disaster Loan Application.

I got an email directing me to the site listed above. All my info correct as I entered it when I applied; business address was correct, mailing address was correct, phone number was correct, LLC name was correct and the application number I was given matched.

Most importantly, if you didn't apply or they are asking for application fees it is a scam to relieve you of your money. Please read the article, follow it's advice and stay safe.

Delete

June 3, 2020 at 3:23 PM by
COVID 19 Relief SBA Gov Scam
an anonymous user from: Smithtown, New York, United States

I too am looking to find out what is happening - has the number been hijacked? it seems crazy - because we never applied with this company

Delete

June 1, 2020 at 2:28 PM by
COVID 19 Relief SBA Gov Scam
an anonymous user from: Charlotte, North Carolina, United States

I just called the SBA.gove at 800-659-2955 to verify covid19relief1.sba.gov. It is real. When I created my account my banking info was already in there so I got suspicious. After a 45 min wait on the phone, she verified some info with me and approved the site and told me what to do.

Delete

May 26, 2020 at 9:17 PM by
COVID 19 Relief SBA Gov Scam
an anonymous user from: Tacoma, Washington, United States

I got a voicemail, saying that they knewI applied for the small business covid 19 disaster loan, before March 29. They are not taking any new application after that date, and that since I didd apply before that date, In needed to reapply.

I filled out the first page which included my social security number. I had a question about a question, so I call the number given, and ended up giving my social security again. The person said there was not record of my application, and that is when I starting to suspect scammer, and found this site. The number I called is the same as the number suggested to call from this site.

Delete

May 25, 2020 at 12:42 AM by
COVID 19 Relief SBA Gov Scam
an anonymous user from: Benton, Arkansas, United States

I received an email tonight as well. I did hit the link and created a password, but I stopped there. It all seemed fishy at that point.

Covid19relief1.sba.gov seems to be the basic site. it was followed by letters, numbers, account/register, etc. just looked a little off on the page.

Delete

May 5, 2020 at 11:50 AM by
COVID 19 Relief SBA Gov Scam
an anonymous user from: Wellington, Colorado, United States

covid19relief1.sba.gov - is this site a scam?

I cannot log in using the credentials set up when applying for SBA EIDL loan originally -

its the number "1" that makes me suspect...

Delete

May 17, 2020 at 10:05 AM by
COVID 19 Relief SBA Gov Scam
an anonymous user from: Windermere, Florida, United States

I would also like to know if that is a scam. Did you find out for sure yet?

Delete

May 5, 2020 at 11:55 AM by
COVID 19 Relief SBA Gov Scam
info

No, it is legit.

Delete

May 19, 2020 at 2:59 AM by
COVID 19 Relief SBA Gov Scam
an anonymous user from: Los Angeles, California, United States

How do you know it’s legit? They are offering me a $42,000 loan at 3.75%. Clearly higher than the guidance given above.

Delete

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Online Threat Alerts Security Tips

Pay the safest way

Credit cards are the safest way to pay for online purchases because you can dispute the charges if you never get the goods or services or if the offer was misrepresented. Federal law limits your liability to $50 if someone makes unauthorized charges to your account, and most credit card issuers will remove them completely if you report the problem promptly.

Guard your personal information

In any transaction you conduct, make sure to check with your state or local consumer protection agency and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to see if the seller, charity, company, or organization is credible. Be especially wary if the entity is unfamiliar to you. Always call the number found on a website’s contact information to make sure the number legitimately belongs to the entity you are dealing with.

Be careful of the information you share

Never give out your codes, passwords or personal information, unless you are sure of who you're dealing with

Know who you’re dealing with

Crooks pretending to be from companies you do business with may call or send an email, claiming they need to verify your personal information. Don’t provide your credit card or bank account number unless you are actually paying for something and know who you are sending payment to. Your social security number should not be necessary unless you are applying for credit. Be especially suspicious if someone claiming to be from a company with whom you have an account asks for information that the business already has.

Check your accounts

Regularly check your account transactions and report any suspicious or unauthorised transactions.

Don’t believe promises of easy money

If someone claims that you can earn money with little or no work, get a loan or credit card even if you have bad credit, or make money on an investment with little or no risk, it’s probably a scam. Oftentimes, offers that seem too good to be true, actually are too good to be true.

Do not open email from people you don’t know

If you are unsure whether an email you received is legitimate, try contacting the sender directly via other means. Do not click on any links in an email unless you are sure it is safe.

Think before you click

If an email or text message looks suspicious, don’t open any attachments or click on the links.

Verify urgent requests or unsolicited emails, messages or phone calls before you respond

If you receive a message or a phone call asking for immediate action and don't know the sender, it could be a phishing message.

Be careful with links and new website addresses

Malicious website addresses may appear almost identical to legitimate sites. Scammers often use a slight variation in spelling or logo to lure you. Malicious links can also come from friends whose email has unknowingly been compromised, so be careful.

Secure your personal information

Before providing any personal information, such as your date of birth, Social Security number, account numbers, and passwords, be sure the website is secure.

Stay informed on the latest cyber threats

Keep yourself up to date on current scams by visiting this website daily.

Use Strong Passwords

Strong passwords are critical to online security.

Keep your software up to date and maintain preventative software programs

Keep all of your software applications up to date on your computers and mobile devices. Install software that provides antivirus, firewall, and email filter services.

Update the operating systems on your electronic devices

Make sure your operating systems (OSs) and applications are up to date on all of your electronic devices. Older and unpatched versions of OSs and software are the target of many hacks. Read the CISA security tip on Understanding Patches and Software Updates for more information.

What if You Got Scammed?

Stop Contact With The Scammer

Hang up the phone. Do not reply to emails, messages, or letters that the scammer sends. Do not make any more payments to the scammer. Beware of additional scammers who may contact you claiming they can help you get your lost money back.

Secure Your Finances

  • Report potentially compromised bank account, credit or debit card information to your financial institution(s) immediately. They may be able to cancel or reverse fraudulent transactions.
  • Notify the three major credit bureaus. They can add a fraud alert to warn potential credit grantors that you may be a victim of identity theft. You may also want to consider placing a free security freeze on your credit report. Doing so prevents lenders and others from accessing your credit report entirely, which will prevent them from extending credit:

Check Your Computer

If your computer was accessed or otherwise affected by a scam, check to make sure that your anti-virus is up-to-date and running and that your system is free of malware and keylogging software. You may also need to seek the help of a computer repair company. Consider utilizing the Better Business Bureau’s website to find a reputable company.

Change Your Account Passwords

Update your bank, credit card, social media, and email account passwords to try to limit further unauthorized access. Make sure to choose strong passwords when changing account passwords.

Report The Scam

Reporting helps protect others. While agencies can’t always track down perpetrators of crimes against scammers, they can utilize the information gathered to record patterns of abuse which may lead to action being taken against a company or industry.

Report your issue to the following agencies based on the nature of the scam:

  • Local Law Enforcement: Consumers are encouraged to report scams to their local police department or sheriff’s office, especially if you lost money or property or had your identity compromised.
  • Federal Trade Commission: Contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357) or use the Online Complaint Assistant to report various types of fraud, including counterfeit checks, lottery or sweepstakes scams, and more.
  • Identitytheft.gov: If someone is using your personal information, like your Social Security, credit card, or bank account number, to open new accounts, make purchases, or get a tax refund, report it at www.identitytheft.gov. This federal government site will also help you create your Identity Theft Report and a personal recovery plan based on your situation. Questions can be directed to 877-ID THEFT.

How To Recognize a Phishing Scam

Scammers use email or text messages to try to steal your passwords, account numbers, or Social Security numbers. If they get that information, they could get access to your email, bank, or other accounts. Or they could sell your information to other scammers. Scammers launch thousands of phishing attacks like these every day — and they’re often successful.

Scammers often update their tactics to keep up with the latest news or trends, but here are some common tactics used in phishing emails or text messages:

Phishing emails and text messages often tell a story to trick you into clicking on a link or opening an attachment. You might get an unexpected email or text message that looks like it’s from a company you know or trust, like a bank or a credit card or utility company. Or maybe it’s from an online payment website or app. The message could be from a scammer, who might

  • say they’ve noticed some suspicious activity or log-in attempts — they haven’t
  • claim there’s a problem with your account or your payment information — there isn’t
  • say you need to confirm some personal or financial information — you don’t
  • include an invoice you don’t recognize — it’s fake
  • want you to click on a link to make a payment — but the link has malware
  • say you’re eligible to register for a government refund — it’s a scam
  • offer a coupon for free stuff — it’s not real

About Online Threat Alerts (OTA)

Online Threat Alerts or OTA is an anti-cybercrime community that started in 2012. OTA alerts the public to cyber crimes and other web threats.

By alerting the public, we have prevented a lot of online users from getting scammed or becoming victims of cybercrimes.

With the ever-increasing number of people going online, it important to have a community like OTA that continuously alerts or protects those same people from cyber-criminals, scammers and hackers, who are every day finding new ways of carrying out their malicious activities.

Online users can help by reporting suspicious or malicious messages or websites to OTA. And, if they want to determine if a message or website is a threat or scam, they can use OTA's search engine to search for the website or parts of the message for information.

Help maintain Online Threat Alerts (OTA).

COVID 19 Relief SBA Gov Scam