Clark Howard warns scammers are trying to take advantage of coronavirus pandemic

Jacksonville, FL — WOKV's Consumer Warrior Clark Howard is issuing a warning about scammers trying to use the coronavirus pandemic to their advantage.

"I need for you to know that you've got to be on your guard, because of how much con game kind of activity is going to go on," says Howard.

Howard says one of the latest scams involves the stimulus checks that most Americans are slated to receive in April.

"One that the FBI put out a warning about is scammers sending fake emails that look exactly like they're from the IRS and it talks about how you need to provide information to the IRS in order for them to deposit money in your account for the helicopter money-- the $1200 of helicopter money per adult, $500 per dependent, if you have a qualifying dependent," explains Howard.

But Howard says it's all a scam.

"The IRS is not, I repeat, is not emailing anybody telling you they need your bank account routing information in order to deposit money in your account. What's actually happening, people that are falling for this, within a very short period of time have whatever money they have in their accounts looted," Howard says.

Get more consumer news and advice from WOKV's Consumer Warrior Clark Howard in his latest on-demand podcasts by clicking HERE.