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.
