A social media post claimed that another stimulus bill was just passed, and the government will be giving out $2,500 checks at the end of July.
“And it passed 15 minutes ago,” the July 15 post said, “WE GET ANOTHER STIMULUS CHECK FOR $2500 at July 30, 2021. We did it!!! The article below tells u what you need to do to receive it quicker and how to track it. I already filled out my form.”
The post, which has since been deleted, then included a link. But click on it, and you found no information — just a visual insult in the form of a picture of a gorilla with his middle finger raised.
The post was flagged as part of Facebook’s efforts to combat false news and misinformation on its news feed. (Read more about PolitiFact’s partnership with Facebook.)
It’s was a hoax.
The federal government in March began sending a third round of economic relief checks to Americans — up to $1,400 each — to help offset the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. While some lawmakers are pushing for a fourth round of direct payments, nothing has been decided.
In a press conference on June 3, Press Secretary Jen Psaki said that President Joe Biden is “open to a range of ideas” dealing with stimulus checks and his American Jobs and Families Plan. “But he’s also proposed what he thinks is going to be the most effective for the short term,” she added.
The $1,400 checks were part of the American Rescue Plan Act enacted in March. The federal government this month began issuing advance payments to families under an expanded child tax credit provision that was part of the same legislation.
Our ruling
The Facebook post said that stimulus checks will be given out by the end of the month and includes a link promising more information. The link goes to a page with a picture of a gorilla.
A fourth stimulus check is being considered, but it has not been implemented.
The post was a hoax. We rate its claim Pants on Fire!
Truth-o-meter Ruling
IF YOUR TIME IS SHORT
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The post links to a picture of a gorilla making an obscene hand gesture
Statement
Context
FacebookSpeaker/Target
Statement Date
Our Sources
Facebook post, July 15, 2021
The White House, Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jen Psaki, June 3, 2021
CBS News, What’s behind the push for a fourth stimulus check, July 12, 2021
CBSN Philly, Fourth Stimulus Check: Will You Get Another Relief Payment, July 15, 2021
IRS, Advance Child Tax Credit Payments in 2021, accessed July 15, 2021
Translations
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