TEXAS, USA — The FBI is warning people that are eligible for the Child Tax Credit to watch out for scammers and fraudsters.
Most families that qualify for the tax credit will automatically receive the funds because of previously filed taxes, so there is no need to sign up.
"I really want to stress that this Child Tax Credit program that the administration has set up through the IRS is an automatic enrollment, no one can help you enroll in this program," said Special Agent Jeanette Harper, the Public Affairs Officer for the El Paso Division.
The IRS will never threaten or extort you for money. They will also not cold call you, text you, or send you a message on social media.
Watch out for calls from numbers you don't know, links that aren't familiar and spoofed government websites, and never give your personal information out as it could be used to steal your identity.
"They're going to go into your bank accounts and withdraw money instead of putting money in or they're going to take your identity and start opening lines of credit in your name, which has huge detrimental effects for you down the road," said Special Agent Harper.
If you think you have fallen for a scam:
- Call your bank and tell them what happened so they can watch out for fraudulent activity
- Visit Identitytheft.gov
- Reach out to the IRS about your situation