There is a new wave of misinformation making the rounds on social media platforms in the past few weeks about a supposed $6400 stimulus payment that is said to be approved by President Joe Biden. This widely circulated claim alleges that nearly 97 percent of Americans would benefit from this financial aid. These claims, however, are immediately revealed upon further scrutiny. This article sets out to dissect the claim’s origins, the misinformation mechanisms at play and the reality of what government help could look like.
The Origin of the Claims
The discussion around the alleged $6400 stimulus payment originated from a viral video circulating on social media platforms such as Facebook. This video inaccurately asserted that President Joe Biden had approved a $6,400 stimulus for 97% of Americans. It included manipulated audio that imitated Biden’s voice and encouraged viewers to register for a “spending card” preloaded with this amount. However, there is no reliable evidence to substantiate the existence of such a program, and government officials have clarified that no new stimulus payments have been authorized or announced by the federal government.
Key Points from the Claims
- Allegedly Government: Authorized Payment Video: Biden Authorized Payments of $6,400 to Most Americans.
- Fake Voice Technology: The voice in the video was computerized to sound like Biden, which caused concern that it wasn’t authentic.
- Call To Action: Sign up for a spending card connected to this imaginary subsidy.
Fact-Checking the Claims
However, a few red flags have emerged that suggest these claims are untrue:
- No New Payments: Jenna Valle-Riestra, a press officer for the U.S. Department of the Treasury, said there are no new stimulus payments as described in the video. Any such program would need legislation from Congress.
- How the Video Was Manipulated: The video relied on deep face technology, which can produce realistic-looking but false audio and visual content. Manipulated content bore signs like mismatched audio and unnatural mouth movements.
- Scam Signs: Viewers were directed to an unofficial website to “claim” the $6,400 relief check. These types of links usually connect to scams, not real government agencies.
Common Features of Scams
The $6,400 payment fits classic scam patterns:
- False Claims: Scammers promise unrealistic returns for little work.
- Unofficial Sources: Real government-led programs are only promoted through official sites with the ending “. gov”.
- Requests for Personal Information: Scammers often request sensitive information, such as Social Security numbers or bank account information.
- Impersonation: These fraudsters will impersonate public figures or institutions to give their claims and actions more weight.
Understanding Real Government Programs
Although a $6400 stimulus payment isn’t an option, it is worth mentioning that some relief programs are available:
- Affordable Care Act (ACA) Subsidies: Individuals purchasing health insurance through the ACA Marketplace receive subsidies. These subsidies lower monthly premiums but are not direct payments to individuals.
- Economic Impact Payments: Earlier COVID-19 stimulus payments aimed to help people under economic hardship. These were congressional-approved payments to eligible recipients.
How to Protect Yourself from Scams
To help you successfully navigate the misinformation landscape and protect yourself from scams:
- Everything should end well and it should be an easy ride. gov”) or trusted news organizations.
- Unofficial unverified sources are the most frequent origin of misinformation.
- And if an offer seems too good to be true like getting big bucks for little work.
- No legitimate government program is going to solicit sensitive personal information by means other than its official website or ask an individual to take a quiz in order to qualify for access to funds.
Fact Check
The recent buzz around a $6400 stimulus payment is unwarranted, but it’s also a sign of how rampant misinformation is online. With no official quote approved or designed for such programming, There is always a risk of waste from there that people need to be cautious of scams. Gain knowledge of how these scams work and verify facts with trusted sources, to avoid becoming a victim of such schemes.
