Beware of Scam: Inflation Reduction Act update does not offer $6,400 subsidies from U.S. government

Don’t Fall for This Scam: False Claims of Government Subsidies

Have you seen social media posts promising thousands of dollars in monthly subsidies from the U.S. government? Don’t be fooled; it’s a scam.

A recent Facebook video caught our attention, showing clips of Congress members applauding and crowds of people shopping for groceries. The video’s narrator claimed that the new Inflation Reduction Act now provides Americans earning less than $50,000 per year with up to $6,400 in subsidies every month.

According to the video, this monthly subsidy can be used for rent, gas, groceries, and personal expenses. The caption on the Facebook post urged people to “claim their $6,400 in subsidies” before the deadline on December 8th.

(Screengrab from Facebook)

This post has been flagged as part of our efforts to combat false news and misinformation on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram, which are owned by Meta. We take this issue seriously and strive to provide accurate information to our readers.

Misleading Posts and Scams

Unfortunately, misleading posts promising free and fast money are all too common on social media. PolitiFact has debunked similar claims in the past, such as false promises of a $5,000 stimulus loan or cash allowances for health care expenses.

In this Facebook post, it claims that to receive the $6,400 subsidy, all you need to do is click the link below the video, answer a few questions, and then “hop on the phone with an agent to verify your information.”

However, the link leads to a webpage with the URL “secretsavingsusa.com,” which is not affiliated with the U.S. government. The site claims that Americans can now claim up to $1,400 in government subsidies to use on rent, groceries, gas, and more, specifically through health insurance policies.

The site prompts visitors to answer questions about their income and whether they are on Medicare or Medicaid. If the person answers that their income is under $50,000 and they are not on Medicare or Medicaid, the site congratulates them and provides a phone number to call for sign-up. We called the number and spoke to an unidentified agent who asked for our income, tax filing status, and birth date. However, the call ended abruptly before we could provide our birth date.

No Evidence of a $6,400 Giveaway

We conducted a thorough search and found no news articles or official U.S. government announcements about a $6,400 giveaway or any updates to the Inflation Reduction Act, which became law in 2022. The claim made in the Facebook post is false.

Protect Yourself from Scams

It’s important to be cautious when encountering offers of free money or grants from the government. The federal government warns that these offers are often scams. Genuine government-funded financial assistance programs are only available through official government websites.

If you come across suspicious offers or scams, you can report them and find helpful tips on how to avoid falling victim to these scams on the Federal Trade Commission’s website.

Remember, always verify information from reliable sources and be skeptical of claims that seem too good to be true. Stay informed and protect yourself from scams.