10/21/2024
WATCH FOR THIS SCAM IN YOUR MESSENGER!
"Have you heard about the DHHS and WCAB Department of Health & Human Service and Workers Compensation Appeals Board and the Taxes Refunded Company?"
FACT CHECKED:
Yes, the scenario you described is part of a known Facebook scam, particularly involving fake government grants. Here are the key points regarding this type of scam:
Overview of the Scam
Impersonation: Scammers often impersonate friends or family members on social media platforms like Facebook Messenger. They may send messages claiming to have received grant money from the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) or similar agencies, urging recipients to act quickly to claim funds themselves146.
Fake Grants: The messages typically claim that individuals qualify for free government grants, often accompanied by a sense of urgency. Scammers may ask for personal information or even payment to process these "grants," which is a common tactic in such scams124.
Official Warnings: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has issued alerts about these scams, clarifying that they do not reach out via social media to offer grants and will never ask for payment to release grant funds14. Legitimate government grants require an application process and are not distributed randomly or without prior application.
