Governments and utility companies worldwide offer programs to help residents access relief payments and energy rebates. Scammers know this and are cashing in on it. Every day unsuspecting people are tricked by messages claiming unclaimed money is waiting for them. Websites such as myreliefcheck•com and similar pages lure victims with promises of instant funds. Their message is urgent, official-looking, and designed to make recipients act without thinking.
Victims receive emails, text messages, or phone calls claiming eligibility for payments or rebates. They are directed to fake websites that mimic official government or utility portals. Once there, they are asked for Social Security numbers, national IDs, banking details, or utility account information. Some scammers send fake cheques and instruct victims to deposit them and transfer part of the funds elsewhere. Others demand a “processing fee” to release the payment. In every case, the money does not exist, and victims face financial loss and identity theft.
🌍 GLOBAL EXAMPLES
🇨🇦 Canada – Claims for unclaimed federal or provincial relief payments or energy rebates asking for SIN numbers, bank details, or utility account information
🇺🇸 United States – Emails or texts promising unpaid stimulus payments or energy rebates, linking to fake IRS or utility websites
🇬🇧 United Kingdom – Scammers claim unclaimed government grants or home energy rebate programs, requesting bank account details
🇦🇺 Australia – Messages promise disaster recovery payments or energy efficiency rebates, directing recipients to counterfeit government portals
🇳🇿 New Zealand – Alerts about unclaimed tax refunds, emergency payments, or energy rebates, requesting personal information
🇫🇷 France – Claims of uncollected social aid or rebate funds asking for banking details
🇩🇪 Germany – Emails or calls about pending government subsidies or rebate payments, prompting account information
🇮🇹 Italy – Offers of unclaimed relief or rebate funds, directing recipients to fake websites requesting personal data
Scammers adapt local terminology, currency, and programs to make the offers seem real. No one is immune.
🚩 RED FLAGS
⚠️ Unsolicited Offers – Unexpected messages about relief or rebate eligibility
⌛ Urgent Pressure – Push to act immediately
🆔 Requests for Personal Information – Social Security numbers, national IDs, banking or utility details
🔗 Suspicious Links or Attachments – Unknown websites or downloads
🤔 Unprofessional Communication – Poor grammar, generic greetings, or unusual sender addresses
💸 Payment Requests – Any fee to access payments or rebates
🧾 Fake Cheques or Processing Fees – Instructions to deposit a cheque and transfer funds or pay a fee
🛡️ HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF
🕵️♂️ Verify Sources – Check official government or utility websites before providing information
🔐 Do Not Share Personal Data – Only give sensitive info if the source is verified
📚 Educate Others – Warn friends, family, and colleagues, keep the conversation going
🔎 Monitor Accounts – Keep an eye on bank and utility accounts for unauthorized activity
📢 Report Suspicious Activity –
🇨🇦 Canada: Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre → https://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca
🇺🇸 United States: Federal Trade Commission → https://www.ftc.gov/complaint
🇬🇧 United Kingdom: Action Fraud → https://www.actionfraud.police.uk
🇦🇺 Australia: Scamwatch → https://www.scamwatch.gov.au
🧠 STAY ALERT
Scammers constantly change their approach but their goal remains the same. They promise money or rebates that do not exist and attempt to steal personal information or funds. If an offer seems too good to be true, it almost certainly is. Staying informed, cautious, and proactive is the best defense for your identity and finances.
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