Federal and state officials are warning people to protect themselves from scammers who are using the federal government's coronavirus stimulus checks to taxpayers as a pretext to seek personal information.

Criminals are sending emails and making phone calls, attempting to trick individuals into divulging sensitive data, says the Internal Revenue Service.

Officials say households should not divulge information in response to an unsolicited contact. In most cases, distribution of the checks is automatic, and requires no action on the recipients' part.

The IRS' warning is here. Pennsylvania state officials issued their own warning here. Scams can be reported to the U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration here.