Alert: No $6,400 subsidies from US govt in Inflation Act update
TL/DR –
Social media posts claiming that the U.S. government is providing monthly subsidies of up to $6,400 to Americans earning less than $50,000 per year under an updated Inflation Reduction Act are false. The scam directs people to a website that is not affiliated with the U.S. government, asking them to answer questions about their income and health insurance, and promoting a supposed subsidy available through health insurance policies. No official government sources or news outlets have reported any such subsidy, and the Federal Trade Commission warns that offers of free money or government grants are often scams.
Social Media Posts Mislead on $6,400 Government Subsidy
Claims of the U.S. government providing monthly subsidies of thousands of dollars are circulating on social media. Contrary to these assertions, such claims are fraudulent, not a holiday windfall.
An eye-catching Facebook video posted on Dec. 5, featuring Congress members and busy shoppers, professed, “The Inflation Reduction Act provides Americans earning under $50,000 annually a subsidy of up to $6,400 monthly.”
The video suggests the subsidy can cover rent, groceries, gas, and personal expenses. It urges followers to secure their $6,400 subsidies ahead of a Dec. 8 deadline.
(Screenshot from Facebook)
Meta flagged this post as part of its initiative to fight misinformation on its News Feed, including Facebook and Instagram (more details on our partnership with Meta).
PolitiFact has repeatedly disputed similar false promises circulating on social media platforms.
The post instructs followers to click on a link and answer questions to confirm their eligibility for the $6,400 subsidy, followed by a phone call for verification.
The link, however, leads to “secretsavingsusa.com”, unrelated to the U.S. government. The site promises Americans up to $1,400 in subsidies via health insurance policies.
After answering their income and Medicaid/Medicare status, the site congratulates users and provides a signup number. Our call to this number led to a short, inconclusive conversation with an unidentified agent.
No news articles or announcements by the U.S. government confirm a $6,400 giveaway or updates to the Inflation Reduction Act. The federal government alerts users that such offers often lead to scams.
The Federal Trade Commission provides guidance on avoiding these scams on its website.
PolitiFact found no proof that the Inflation Reduction Act was revised to provide a $6,400 monthly subsidy for Americans earning under $50,000. We deem this claim False.
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