DEFENDERS: Scams circulating as second stimulus check are issued

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A second round of stimulus checks are getting sent to most Americans, and scammers are trying to monetize.

The Better Business Bureau is getting reports of con artists who tell people they need to either pay for their stimulus checks or provide personal information to receive it.

In some of the online scams, scammers are sending emails or text messages asking you to click a link to "request benefit payments." The link will take you to a site that asks you to input information to get "all the payments owed to you." The "application" is a way for cons to get your personal information.

In the phone variation, the scammer pretends to be calling from a government agency. The scammer says you need to pay money- or "confirm" your personal information- before you can receive your stimulus check.

Other times, scamers claim that you can get more money if you pay a small "processing fee" through a pre-paid debit card.

Remember, a real government agency will not ask you to pay an advanced processing fee.