Are you a United States citizen living abroad? For millions of expatriates, help from home is on the way in the form of COVID-19 economic impact payments. Unfortunately, scammers also are on the way, and they’re eager to pluck the payment from your pocket.
Depending on your income, U.S. expatriates can get up to $1,200 each, or up to $2,400 for couples, plus $500 for each qualifying child, just as you would if living stateside. And, most people don’t need to do anything to get their payments. The IRS will deposit your payment directly to your U.S. bank account (the IRS can’t direct deposit money to a foreign account), or mail your payment using information from your 2018 or 2019 tax return or from your Social Security retirement or other federal benefits program.
If you haven’t filed a federal tax return for 2018 or 2019 and don’t get any federal benefits, you may have to give the IRS sensitive information, including your Social Security number and bank account number (if you have one), to get your payment.
Scammers will try to take advantage of this to try to steal your money, your personal information, or both. So, to help avoid scammers, use only irs.gov/coronavirus and the tools there to submit sensitive information to the IRS. Use the IRS’s guide to figure out which IRS tool to use. And, visit the IRS’s Economic Impact Payment Center for answers to common questions. Consider talking with a tax professional if your tax filing situation is complex.
With economic impact money flowing in, and many people confused about the distribution process, this is a time to stay on high alert for scammers. Here are some things that ONLY scammers will do:
- Call, email, or text you to ask for, or “verify,” your personal or financial information. The IRS won’t contact you by phone, email, text, or social media about your payment.
- Ask you to pay a transfer or other fee to get your stimulus money. There are no fees.
- Send you a very real-looking check for more than you’re expecting, then tell you to deposit it, take your proper payment, and return the “overpayment” by sending cash, gift cards, or money transfers. A bank may be fooled and cash the check, but when it turns out to be fraudulent – which it will – you will owe the bank any money that you withdrew.
Learn more about avoiding economic impact payment scams here. And, if you spot a scam, please tell us about it at ftc.gov/complaint.
In reply to I’ve just received my cheque by Halfie
In reply to I am a US citizen living in by TalaPup
In reply to I am a US citizen living in by TalaPup
The Social Security Administration has a chart for people who get Social Security retirement, survivors, or disability benefits or SSI. It tells when and how you will get a payment.
In reply to The Social Security by FTC Staff
In reply to I am a US citizen living in by TalaPup
In reply to I am a US citizen living in by TalaPup
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In reply to I'm a US citizen living in by ozgur
In reply to You don't need a USA cell by Moostaff
In reply to My parents are retired U.S by CarolU
The Social Security Administration has a chart for people who get Social Security retirement, survivors, or disability benefits or SSI that shows when and how they will get a payment. There's more information for beneficiaries at www.ssa.gov.
In reply to The Social Security by FTC Staff
In reply to I receive my social security by PatriDon't use…
In reply to I receive my social security by PatriDon't use…
In reply to I live in Japan and haven't by Mike Pat
Yes, you are correct. Recipients of VA benefits will automatically receive automatic Economic Impact Payments.
If you have a qualifying dependent, and didn't file a tax return in 2018 or 2019, you must act before noon on May 5 to register the dependent and get the $500 payment. Read more here.
In reply to It is 2 May and I have not by ChuckD7
The Social Security Administration has a chart for people who get Social Security retirement, survivors, or disability benefits or SSI. It tells when and how you will get a payment.
In reply to The Social Security by FTC Staff
In reply to It is 2 May and I have not by ChuckD7
In reply to How will Disabled compensable by ChuckD7
The IRS said that Veterans who get Compensation and Pension (C&P) benefit payments should get their automatic payments of $1,200 by mid-May. People will generally get the automatic $1,200 payments by direct deposit, Direct Express debit card or by paper check, just as they would normally get their benefits.
In reply to I get Ssdi and live abroad by crazbyc
The Social Security Administration has a chart for people who get Social Security retirement, survivors, or disability benefits or SSI. It tells when and how you will get a payment.
In reply to Same issue here with the IRS by Austin
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In reply to I checked every day since 4 by SShanghai
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In reply to Thanks for this information, by Jason
In reply to I am in Australia and get a by walkabout
The Social Security Administration has a chart for people who get Social Security retirement, survivors, or disability benefits or SSI. It tells when and how you will get a payment.
In reply to The Social Security by FTC Staff
In reply to The Social Security by FTC Staff
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