FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 18, 2021

Department of Social Services warns of new Community Services Block Grant fraud scheme using social media

Jefferson City, MO - The Department of Social Services warns Missourians to be alert of new fraud activity involving Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) funds. Individuals are reporting that they are now getting messages from social media profiles that impersonate their friends or family asking for a $500 gift card in exchange for a large sum of money through CSBG funds.

“The Department of Social Services will not email, text, call, send a message on social media, or ask anyone else to contact an individual to ask for money or gift cards in exchange for more money,” said Robert Knodell, Acting Director of the Department of Social Services. “We want to make sure Missourians are aware of this fraudulent activity and remind them that it is important to report any suspicious emails, texts, messages, or calls immediately to prevent this from happening to others.”

If you suspect you have received a fraudulent text, call, email, or message on social media, do not respond. Instead, report it immediately to the Welfare Investigations Unit online or by phone at 877-770-8055.

For more tips on keeping your information secure, visit the Missouri Attorney General’s website on Identity Theft & Data Security at https://www.ago.mo.gov/civil-division/consumer/identity-theft-data-security.

The Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) is a federal block grant provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that helps fund a network of 19 Community Action Agencies that help create, coordinate, and deliver programs and services to low-income Missourians across the state. For more information about CSBG and the services available visit the DSS website.

The mission of the Department of Social Services is to empower Missourians to live safe, healthy, and productive lives. 

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