This recent rumor swirling around social media, particularly since the past couple of months, claims that, starting in August 2024, the U.S. government will mail a $2,600 stimulus check to senior citizens. Several leading sources have come forward and confirmed that these rumors are totally false and no such payment has been approved.
Debunking the rumor
The IRS told News 5 it hasn’t approved any other stimulus payments beyond those already distributed in earlier Economic Impact Payments under the auspices of the COVID-19 pandemic. IRS spokesperson Anthony Burke told me all those payments are complete, and he said he encourages everybody to go to the actual IRS website for information that is accurate.
Also, the AARP—the powerful lobbying group for older Americans—has confirmed this $2,600 stimulus check claim as a scam. They further advise that seniors fact-check information from trusted sources and not swallow unfounded claims that fly around social media and other outlets.
Origins of the misinformation
The false claim appears to have originated from artificially generated content, likely created by automated systems designed to produce click-worthy headlines and stories. These stories are not based on factual reporting and are only intended to drive traffic to specific websites.
Once posted, these fabricated stories in most cases get picked up and spread over many social media sites. The speed at which such information travels through these networks is fully able to attract very huge attention to such false claims.
Locating and avoiding misinformation
Since one can be bombarded with so much information on the Web, it is essential to learn how to check for authenticity, particularly on subjects that have huge implications, such as stimulus payments. Here are some techniques on how to spot and guard against misinformation:
- Confirm assertions by official sources: Always take a claim to an official government site like irs.gov to confirm the factuality of the information.
- Beware of sensational claims: Far-out financial claims, particularly those floating around social media with no sources in sight, are commonly the first red flags.
- Fact-checking on reputable platforms: Take a run through fact-checking websites that deconstruct and scrutinize the truth behind commonly passed-around claims and news.
The rumors were wrong; there won’t be a $2,600 stimulus check for senior citizens in the works for August 2024 or any other month. The IRS and other credible agencies have confirmed that these all are hoaxes, and there is no such payment agreed upon by the government. This is critical to note, especially for seniors, always to use official sources and fact-checking sites that help them not to be victims of misinformation at all times.
