Notice: Campbell Branch is currently closed due to building maintenance. We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your understanding.
Find the nearest branch or ATM.
System Maintenance: On Thursday, February 15th, we’ll be performing a scheduled maintenance starting at 10 p.m. PST and ending at 2 a.m. PST on Friday, February 16th. During this time, Phone Banking will not be available. Thank you for your patience as we update our systems to better serve you.
We’re experiencing technical difficulties with our phone system. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Find the nearest branch or ATM.
All County Federal offices and branches will be closed on April 1st, in observance of Cesar Chavez Day.
Find the nearest branch or ATM.
Alert: Don’t be misled. County Federal will never call, email or text you to ask for information. Questions? Dial us directly at 800-282-6212 - we’re happy to help.
Find the nearest branch or ATM.
Are you impacted by the severe weather? Contact us today to apply for our Emergency Relief Loan.

Beware of Stimulus Payment and Tax Return Scams

laptop with padlock and computer monitors in background

Beware of Stimulus Payment and Tax Return Scams

It’s stimulus season and tax season at once, and scammers couldn’t be busier. They know that you are eager to get your hands on your stimulus payments and tax refunds. As taxpayers are working to file their taxes before the May 17 deadline, all that paperwork and payments mean people may be letting their guard down. For a scammer, nothing could be better!

The IRS is warning of a surge in scams as the tax agency continues processing tax returns and distributing stimulus payments to eligible adults who have not yet received them. Here’s all you need to know about the latest round of stimulus and tax scams:

How the scams play out

In the most recent IRS-related scams, scammers will con victims into filing phony tax returns, steal tax refunds or stimulus payments or impersonate the IRS to get victims to sign documents or share personal information, such as Social Security Numbers or checking account numbers. The scams are pulled off via email, text message or phone. Sometimes, victims will be directed to another (bogus) website where their device will be infected with malware. Other times, the victim receives a 1099-G tax form for unemployment benefits they never claimed or received, because someone has filed for unemployment under their name. Unfortunately, the losses incurred through most of these scams can be difficult or impossible to recover.

What you need to know

As always, information is your best protection against these scams. Here’s what you need to know about the IRS, the stimulus payments and tax returns:

  • The IRS will never initiate contact by phone or email. If there is an issue with your taxes or stimulus payment, the agency will first communicate via mail.
  • There is no “processing fee” you need to pay before you can receive your stimulus payment or tax refund.
  • The IRS is not sending out text messages about the stimulus payments. If you receive a text message claiming you have a pending stimulus payment, it’s from a scammer.
  • There is no need to take any action to receive your stimulus payment. Likewise, aside from filing your tax return, there is nothing additional you need to do to receive your tax refund.

If you’ve been targeted

If you receive a suspicious phone call, text message or email that has allegedly been sent by the IRS, do not engage with the scammer. Block the number on your phone and mark the email as spam.

If you are a victim

If you are the victim of identity theft related to taxes or stimulus payments, there are steps you can take to mitigate the loss.

First, report the tax fraud scam to the IRS. If you’ve mistakenly shared your information with a scammer and they’ve stolen your stimulus check, you will need to let the IRS know. Visit the Federal Trade Commission website: Identitytheft.gov to report identity theft and get a recovery plan.

Remember to keep your guard up and an eye out for the scams listed above to prevent yourself from falling victim.

Content Source: CUContent

NCUA
Your savings federally insured to at least $250,000 and backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government. National Credit Union Administration, a U.S. Government Agency.
Equal Housing Lender
Certified - CDFI - US Department of the Treasury
cross