Recently the Idaho Attorney General issued a warning about scammers sending texts and emails claiming you are eligible for a $2,000 tariff rebate check and instructing you to click on a link to claim your check. The truth is that although President Trump has mentioned giving a $2,000 check to Americans using tariff revenues, no law authorizing these payments has been passed or even proposed in Congress and the president does not have the authority to order such payments on his own. Anyone clicking on the links provided in the emails would end up either providing personal information to scammers that would be used for purposes of identity theft or downloading dangerous malware that could also lead to identity theft.
Here are a couple of examples of a text message and email that are presently circulating:
“URGENT: Your $2,000 TARIFF REBATE CHECK is ready for deposit! Confirm NOW or your payment will be CANCELLED. Click here: rebate-info.us/verify”
“Dear Taxpayer, You have been selected for the 2025 Tariff Rebate Program. Your rebate cannot be mailed until you complete the attached release form. Click here to verify your identity: gov‑rebate‑claim.com Failure to act within 48 hours will result in cancellation.”
TIPS
It is important to remember that no such tariff rebate program exists and even if it did, government agencies do not send money through unsolicited links in emails or text messages. Anytime, you are asked to click on a link or provide personal information in an email or text message it is critical that you confirm that the text message or email is legitimate before responding.
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