Fraudulent websites are collecting user information in the name of fake schemes - FACTLY
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
October 10, 2023
Update (10 October 2023):
Another post is being shared on social media claiming that the government is providing Rs. 2 Lakh pension every month to retired Indian NRIs above 30 years of age. The post shared a URL link and asked users to avail the benefits of the scheme.
The URL provided in the post directs to a website named NRI Updates, and further clicking on the options provided on the dubious website. The website directs to an unrelated inactive website ‘trk.clmbtrck.in’. The Indian government did not announce any such pension scheme for NRIs above 30 years of age. The details regarding National Pension Scheme benefits available for NRIs can be seen here.
Update (09 October 2023):
Another social media post claims that the US government is providing $100,000 easy loan to eligible salaried or unsalaried US citizens even if they have a poor credit history. The post shared a URL link and asked users to avail the benefits of the scheme.
Upon clicking the URL link provided in the post, the URL directs to a website named “financeupdate.live” and further clicking on the ‘Check Eligibility Here’ button provided on the dubious website, the URL directs to another unrelated inactive website ‘t.amatrck.com’. On searching for further details regarding this website, we found that this website with the domain name ‘https://amatrck.com/’ was registered with “Domains By Proxy, LLC” in January 2019. The US government did not announce any such financial assistance scheme and it is in no way associated with any of these fraudulent websites alluring fake loans to US citizens.
Update (02 August 2023):
Another post advertising a subsidy of $5200 for US citizens with low income is being shared on social media. The narration in the video states, “This may be your last chance to secure free cash to help you pay for essential bills like food, rent or medical expenses. Individuals can apply by using the official links available under this video.” The video says that the subsidy was only available for struggling Americans below the age of 65 and asks the users to register in the link provided below the post to avail benefits of the new scheme. Let’s verify the claim made in the post.
Claim: Website to avail $5200 subsidy provided for low-income US citizens below the age of 65.
Fact: The link provided in the post directs to a private website requesting users’ annual income and the Public Health Insurance Program they are registered with. The link provided in the post is not affiliated with any of the US Government Public Health Insurance Programs like Medicare or Medicaid. Social Security Administration (SSA) warned users not to click on malicious links and give away personal information to prevent identity theft. Hence, the claim made in the post is Misleading.
On clicking the link provided in the post, it redirects to a private website ‘https://pmc.usacashrelief.com/‘, requesting information about the user’s annual income and the Public Health Insurance Program they are registered with. Upon providing the information, the website asks users to call a number to avail of the benefits of a $5200 subsidy and $0 health plan. The purported website is not affiliated with any of the US Government Public Health Insurance Programs like Medicare or Medicaid.
No such subsidy, as mentioned in the post, was listed on the official website of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The Low-Income Subsidy (LIS) implemented by the US Government helps people with Medicare pay for prescription drugs and lowers the costs of Medicare prescription drug coverage. The eligibility for this subsidy assistance can be determined by either the Social Security Administration (SSA) or their State Medicaid office. Depending on the monthly income and resource limits, the subsidy is provided to the citizens.
Officials from the US National Consumers League and Center for Medicare Advocacy confirmed to AFP that the viral post appears to be “illegitimate or at best highly misleading”. Moreover, the Social Security Administration warns users not to click on malicious links and give personal information as it may lead to identity & monetary theft.
Update (01 February 2023):
Another post is being shared on social media platforms asking senior citizens to register on the website given in the post to get $3034 yearly added to their Social Security checks. Let’s verify the claim made in the post.
Claim: Social media post asking users to click on a website link and enter personal information to get $3034 yearly added to their Social Security checks.
Fact: No such scheme is listed on the official Social Security Administration (SSA) website. The website in the post acts as a referral source to match customers with insurance companies. SSA warned users not to click on malicious links and give away personal information to prevent identity theft. Hence the claim made in the post is MISLEADING.
No such scheme is mentioned on the official website of the Social Security Administration. In some cases, a citizen may be eligible for increased benefits, but one needs to apply for these benefits on the official website and not through third-party sites. The website given in the post describes itself as a non-Governmental referral source that provides information and access to helplines to match consumers with companies that may provide certain insurance coverage to them. This site also asks for the personal information of the users like Medicare eligibility & age.
Moreover, the Social Security Administration warns users not to click on malicious links and give personal information as it may lead to identity & monetary theft.
Published (13 December 2022):
A video is being shared on social media claiming that the American Government has released a sum of $540/month under ‘Health Give Back Program’ for people with an annual income of less than $50,000. Similarly, another post claims that people aged 40-80 years with no life insurance are getting $150k in lumpsum payment. These posts ask the users to click the link provided in the description to apply. Let’s verify the claims made in these posts.
Post 1:
Claim: American Government has released a sum of $540/month under ‘Health Give Back Program’ for people with an annual income of less than $50,000.
Fact: No such scheme is launched by the US Government. Federal Trade Commission warns users not to enter personal details in unauthorised websites as it may lead to identity theft. All the government websites and emails end with ‘.gov’ and not with ‘.com’ or ‘.org’. Though the US government helps certain sections of low-income uninsured citizens through state subsidised health insurance or Medicaid, money is directly paid to the health care providers and not to the individuals. Hence the claim made in the post is FALSE.
We searched irs.gov, usa.gov and prominent news websites but couldn’t find any information regarding this scheme. Moreover, the link given in the description redirects to an unauthorised website which asks for the personal details of the person. Further, the disclaimer on the website says, “THIS IS AN ADVERTORIAL AND NOT AN ACTUAL NEWS ARTICLE, BLOG, OR CONSUMER PROTECTION UPDATE”
Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Healthcare.gov warned users on multiple occasions not to share personal information with these unauthorised websites as it may lead to identity theft. All the government websites and emails of the US government end with ‘.gov’ and not with ‘.com’ or ‘.org’. Even though US government helps certain sections of low income uninsured citizens through state subsidised health insurance or Medicaid, money is directly paid to the health care providers and not to the individuals.
Post 2:
Claim: Americans aged 40-80 years with no life insurance are getting $150k in lumpsum payment.
Fact: No such scheme is launched by the US Government. Federal Trade Commission warns users not to enter personal details in unauthorised websites as it may lead to identity theft. All the government websites and emails end with ‘.gov’ and not with ‘.com’ or ‘.org’. Though the U.S government helps certain sections of low-income uninsured citizens through state subsidised health insurance or Medicaid, money is directly paid to the health care providers and not to the individuals. Hence the claim made in the post is FALSE.
We searched the irs.gov, usa.gov and prominent news websites but couldn’t find any information regarding this scheme. Moreover, the link provided in the posts redirects to an unauthorised website which asks for personal details. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Healthcare.gov warned users on multiple occasions not to give the personal information to these unauthorised websites as it may lead to identity theft. All the government websites and emails of the US government end with ‘.gov’ and not with ‘.com’ or ‘.org’.
Even though U.S government helps certain sections of low-income uninsured citizens through state subsidised health insurance or Medicaid, money is directly paid to the health care providers and not to the individuals.
To sum it up, fraudulent websites are asking for personal details of users in the name of FAKE Health Schemes.