Consumers Duped by Stimulus Scam

March 4, 2009— -- The ink is barely dry on the huge economic stimulus package, and already scam artists are swooping in, promising they can get you some of the $787 billion.

On Wednesday the Federal Trade Commission revealed bogus Web sites, hoaxes and other scams that promise to help consumers tap into a chunk of the money.

"They're running ads all over the Internet, both on live streaming sites, through search engines, social networks," Eileen Harrington, acting director of the FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection, said today on "Good Morning America."

Harrington called this "a particularly pernicious kind of scam" given the economic climate.

"Times are tough for a lot of people," she said. "This stimulus bill is intended to really get the economy moving again, not to be used as a vehicle for fraudsters to line their pockets. That is not what the bill's about."

Think you've been scammed? File a complaint or get free information on consumer issues at ftc.gov/complaint or call 877-FTC-Help (877-382-4357)

Received an email from someone claiming to be from the IRS asking for your personal information? Forward it to phishing@irs.gov and delete without opening attachments or clicking on links.