$12.5B
FTC-reported fraud losses in 2024
FTC says consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024.
pandemic relief grant scam
Scammers exploit public awareness of pandemic relief programs by offering fake COVID-19 recovery grants, collecting personal information and fees from applicants.
“government grant scam”
↓ 41%Key indicators
Usually targetsLow-income households
Often hitsFreelancers and contractors
Common regionUnited States
Last updated2026-04-04
Estimated impact
$960
median reported loss
Typical range$60 – $6.0K
Recovery rate~15%
Scam breakdown
1
Scammers send emails or texts claiming the recipient qualifies for a pandemic relief grant from a government agency.
2
The victim is directed to a professional-looking website to enter personal and financial information.
3
The information is used for identity theft, and any fees paid are stolen outright.
What to do first
Verify any relief program through official government websites — usa.gov, sba.gov, or your country's equivalent.
Related terms
COVID grant scamstimulus relief fraudpandemic recovery grant scamFake government grant scamsEmailRisingLow-income householdsSmall business ownersStudentsFreelancers and contractorsSmall business ownersPayroll, HR, and finance teamsUnited StatesCanadaUnited KingdomCOVID grant scamstimulus relief fraud
Real-world example
How this scam plays out in practice
Based on reported patterns. Names and details are illustrative.
The setup
Sofia, 35, a low-income households, encountered what appeared to be a legitimate fake government grant scams situation while using Email. Scammers send emails or texts claiming the recipient qualifies for a pandemic relief grant from a government agency.
Step 2
What happened next was calculated: The victim is directed to a professional-looking website to enter personal and financial information.
Step 3
The pressure escalated quickly: The information is used for identity theft, and any fees paid are stolen outright.
The outcome
Sofia realized something was wrong when an email or text offers a covid-19 relief grant that you did not apply for. By that point, significant damage had already been done — money sent, personal information shared, or trust exploited.
The lesson
Verify any relief program through official government websites — usa.gov, sba.gov, or your country's equivalent. Sofia's experience shows why an email or text offers a covid-19 relief grant that you did not apply for and the message asks for your social security number, bank account details, or an upfront fee are the clearest early warning signs.
How to identify it
- An email or text offers a COVID-19 relief grant that you did not apply for
- The message asks for your Social Security number, bank account details, or an upfront fee
- The program name does not match any actual government relief program
- Pause before paying, clicking, or sharing information. Scammers rely on speed.
- Verify the sender, company, or agency using a phone number or website you already know is legitimate.
- Treat secrecy, urgency, and off-platform payment requests as strong scam signals.
What to do now
- ✓Verify any relief program through official government websites — usa.gov, sba.gov, or your country's equivalent.
- ✓Never provide personal or financial information in response to unsolicited grant offers.
- ✓Report pandemic-related scams to the FTC and the National Center for Disaster Fraud at 1-866-720-5721.
What to save before reporting
- ✓Save the message, profile, phone number, email, or URL that was used.
- ✓Keep payment confirmations, receipts, and account alerts before you dispute or delete anything.
- ✓Write down the timeline while the details are still fresh.
- ✓Keep the full sender address, domain, attachments, and—if possible—the raw email headers.
How big is this problem
You are not alone — this scam affects millions of people.
These numbers come from government agencies and official reports. If you have been affected, know that this is a widespread problem — not something that only happens to careless people.
FTC 2024 fraud losses
Imposters
Most common FTC fraud category in 2024
FTC says imposter scams remained the most commonly reported fraud category in 2024.
History and evolution
- This scam family tends to persist because the social-engineering pressure works even when the exact scripts, platforms, and payment methods change.
- The specific packaging evolves over time, but the core pattern usually stays the same: create urgency, control the channel, and push action before verification.
- The Department of Justice reported that pandemic-related fraud schemes exceeded 8 billion USD in charged losses through its COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force.
Recovery and follow-up
- ✓Save the messages, receipts, account alerts, and transaction details before you block or delete anything.
- ✓Report the scam through the official platform or government channel that best matches where it happened.
- ✓Verify any relief program through official government websites — usa.gov, sba.gov, or your country's equivalent.
- ✓Never provide personal or financial information in response to unsolicited grant offers.
- ✓Report pandemic-related scams to the FTC and the National Center for Disaster Fraud at 1-866-720-5721.
Why this pattern keeps working
Even when the story changes, most scams still use the same pressure pattern: urgency, authority, and a request to move money or data fast.
The Department of Justice reported that pandemic-related fraud schemes exceeded 8 billion USD in charged losses through its COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force.
FBI IC3 2024
Where to report it
If you have been targeted by this scam, reporting it helps authorities track the pattern and protect others. United States has dedicated agencies that handle fraud reports.
ReportFraud.gov
Federal Trade Commission
Central U.S. consumer fraud reporting portal.
File an IC3 complaint
FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center
FBI portal for internet-enabled crime reports.
Start identity theft recovery
IdentityTheft.gov
Official U.S. identity theft recovery plan builder.
Explore further
Understand the bigger picture
Who is most at risk
Who this scam targets
Primary targets
Low-income households, Small business owners, Students, Minorities
Geographic concentration
United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia
Primary channel
Email — Fake government grant scams
Why this group is vulnerable
Low-income households are particularly vulnerable because this scam exploits trust in familiar brands, authority figures, and time-sensitive decisions. The growing number of reports suggests that awareness among this demographic remains low.
Sources and methodology
How we verify this information
OpenScam tracks scam patterns using a combination of government consumer protection databases (FTC, IC3, Action Fraud), platform-specific fraud reports, and verified consumer complaint data. Each entry is cross-referenced against at least two independent sources before publication.
Severity ratings are based on financial impact potential, reversibility of damage, and volume of reports across multiple reporting channels. Trend velocity reflects the rate of change in report volume over the most recent 90-day window.
This page was last verified on 2026-04-04. Red flags, recovery steps, and reporting resources are reviewed quarterly against current agency guidance.
Evidence and indicators
- The Department of Justice reported that pandemic-related fraud schemes exceeded 8 billion USD in charged losses through its COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force.
Source notes
- FBI IC3 2024
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about pandemic relief grant scam
How does the pandemic relief grant scam work?+
Scammers send emails or texts claiming the recipient qualifies for a pandemic relief grant from a government agency. The victim is directed to a professional-looking website to enter personal and financial information. The information is used for identity theft, and any fees paid are stolen outright.
What are the warning signs of pandemic relief grant scam?+
An email or text offers a COVID-19 relief grant that you did not apply for The message asks for your Social Security number, bank account details, or an upfront fee The program name does not match any actual government relief program
What should I do if I encounter pandemic relief grant scam?+
Verify any relief program through official government websites — usa.gov, sba.gov, or your country's equivalent. Never provide personal or financial information in response to unsolicited grant offers. Report pandemic-related scams to the FTC and the National Center for Disaster Fraud at 1-866-720-5721.
Who is most at risk for pandemic relief grant scam?+
This scam primarily targets Low-income households, Small business owners, Students, Minorities. It is most commonly reported in United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia and typically appears on Email.
Is pandemic relief grant scam on the rise?+
pandemic relief grant scam is currently on the rise with growing reports. It has been reported across US, CA, UK, AU. Last updated 2026-04-04.
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Help someone avoid this scam.
Scammers succeed because people do not talk about it. If you or someone you know has been affected, there is no shame in it — it happens to millions of people every year. Share this page with friends and family so they know what to look for.
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