Health Alert – U.S. Embassy Bucharest, Romania (April 10, 2020)
Location: Romania
Event: In light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. government has recently authorized a $2 trillion federal stimulus package, which provides for a stimulus check for most U.S. taxpayers. To determine whether you qualify, visit the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) website for more information.
American citizens are encouraged to remain vigilant, as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has recently issued an Internet Crime Complaint Center Alert warning about increased phishing emails asking potential victims to verify or provide personal or financial information to receive their stimulus checks. Cyber criminals are using fake emails, robocalls, texts, social media, websites, and other channels to gather sensitive information in attempts to fraudulently collect government assistance checks.
Please scrutinize any unsolicited messages and requests for personal information regarding the stimulus package, or other offers for financial assistance. Government agencies, including the IRS and Social Security Administration (SSA), are not sending unsolicited emails or messages seeking personal or financial information in order to send you money. The IRS has stated that no sign-up process is required to receive stimulus payments. Stimulus payments will be sent via direct deposit to the account provided in your tax return, or via mailed paper check in a few weeks.
Please continue to monitor all security alerts from the U.S. Embassy and obey all ordinances currently put in place by the Romanian government. The latest updates from the Romanian Ministry of Interior are available here.
Actions to Take:
- Reschedule your appointments with the American Citizen Services section at U.S. Embassy Bucharest, unless you have an emergency.
- Arrange for immediate return to the United States, unless you are prepared to remain abroad for an indefinite period.
- Visit the Otopeni “Henri Coanda” International Airport website for a schedule of departing flights and check with airlines for updated information about your travel plans.
- Consult the CDC website for the most up-to-date information and the CDC’s latest recommendations on what you can do to reduce your risk of contracting COVID-19.
- Visit the COVID-19 crisis page on travel.state.gov for the latest information.
- Visit our Embassy webpage on COVID-19 Information on conditions in Romania.
- Visit the Department of Homeland Security’s website on the latest travel restrictions to the U.S.
Assistance:
U.S. Embassy Bucharest, Romania
B-dul Dr. Liviu Librescu, nr 4-6
Section 1, 014118, Bucuresti
+40-21-270-6000
Email: AcsBucharest@state.gov
Embassy website: https://ro.usembassy.gov
State Department – Consular Affairs
888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444
