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Do you think your economic impact payment has landed in the hands of an identity thief? You can report it to the FTC and the IRS at the same time. Here’s what to do.

Visit IdentityTheft.gov, the government’s one-stop resource for people to report identity theft and get a personal recovery plan. Click “Get started.” The next page asks, “Which statement best describes our situation?” Click the line that says, “Someone filed a Federal tax return – or claimed an economic stimulus payment – using my information.” You’re on your way.

Logo: Coronavirus Scams: Tips from the FTCIdentityTheft.gov will ask you some questions so that it can complete an IRS Identity Theft Affidavit (IRS Form 14039) for you, and submit it electronically to the IRS. You can include a personal statement too, to tell the IRS details about how your identity was misused to claim your economic impact payment. You also can download a copy of your completed Affidavit for your files. And, IdentityTheft.gov also will give you a recovery plan with steps you can take to help protect yourself from further identity theft.

Use IdentityTheft.gov to report suspected identity theft only. If you have other concerns about your economic impact payment, visit the IRS’s Economic Impact Payment Information Center and Get My Payment Frequently Asked Questions pages for detailed, and frequently-updated, answers to questions. You also can find information here about payments that the IRS may have deposited to an account you don’t recognize.

Whether you’re waiting for your payment, or even if it’s already arrived, keep alert for scammers trying to steal your personal information, your money, or both. Remember, the IRS will not call, text you, email you, or contact you on social media asking for personal or bank account information – even related to the stimulus payments. Also, watch out for emails and texts with attachments or links claiming to have special information about the payments. They’re fake, and they may be phishing for your personal information or might download malware to your computer, tablet, or phone.

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Yc20
May 13, 2020

In reply to by Esmith88

so I believe it was stolen because I have the informed delivery app from the United States post office and my husband was scanned the same day as mine and only his was delivered. I was waiting to see if by any chance it would come in this week but it hasn’t came so I’m just gonna go ahead and do the identity theft and file the forms that need to be filed and hopefully they re-issued my check.
Detlef
May 14, 2020

In reply to by Yc20

I got an EMail from USPS that a IRS letter was coming , which is mostly the same day, Nothing came in but I found out that one row of mailboxes was open, incl mine. Now I have to figure out what happened to my check.
Ll243
May 12, 2020

In reply to by kdrss42020

Did ur check come? Or did you find out who to contact? I have the same issue.
Confused
May 14, 2020

In reply to by kdrss42020

Same thing here irs said they mailed on may 1st got letter today but still no check .. while other had same info and got thier check and letter . They need a website for us to be able to check on it once sent or report it missing . For all I know it's stuck in a mail machine lost or stolen
Yc20
May 09, 2020
If someone stole my stimulus check and I reported Are they going to send a replacement stimulus check?
Omar
May 09, 2020
Received the IRS letter stating the 1200 amount but letter was received with next door neighbor where is the check? Or are we supposed to receive letter first!? Can check be cashed by scammers?
akelly94wfwf
May 10, 2020
Hi, I haven't received a letter but the website says they will be mailing the payment on April 24, how long do I wait and if I should file it as stolen ?
livraf777
May 10, 2020
My payment was sent out May 1st, 2020 and I have yet to receive. What happens if someone else cash my check? How do I contact IRS to inquire about status of my check?
A guy in Maryland
May 14, 2020

In reply to by livraf777

I have the same issue. May 1st mail date its May 14th and still no check or no letter. This stimulus distribution is a horrible government failure
Don't use your…
May 14, 2020

In reply to by livraf777

I. Have. Not. Received. My. Check. Yet. It. Got. Mailed. Out. On april. 27, 2020. I. Did. File. Taxes. 2018, 2019. My. Old. Adress. 5720 n. 42nd st
Kim Kepler an…
May 10, 2020
I don’t know I have not received it yet nor has may man Lester walker
phenomenalwoman09
May 11, 2020
On April 15th the IRS deposited my stimulus payment into an unknown account but it was rejected and sent back to the IRS. I checked the website a few days later and there was a date of May 1st for me to receive a check in the mail. I moved at the beginning of April and completed a change of address request online through the USPS as the IRS instructed people to do but I have yet to receive the check or the letter so what should I do because I fear the system updated once the money was sent back from their direct deposit error but my check possibly was not mailed out to my new address
LaToria
May 15, 2020

In reply to by phenomenalwoman09

I am having the same problem as well but I received a letter stating that my check was mailed on the 29th of April and I have to yet to seed it and it's May 15th. There is something definitely wrong.
phenomenalwoman09
May 23, 2020

In reply to by LaToria

Did you ever get your stimulus payment?? I've called the IRS everyday since live assistance became available on the 18th and the people that answer the phones are ill equipped to deal with matters pertaining to loss or stolen checks. I was told different information each time I called and although the IRS site says it could take up to FOURTEEN days to receive a check through the USPS I was told that there's no one to speak to in the FRAUD department that is capable of looking into our accounts to track and just VOID the freakin check now that it's going on FOUR weeks of not receiving the payment!!! I even contacted the Congressman office here in Florida and the office in Washington but all I got was a courtesy callback and FALSE hope. This is ridiculous and there's no one doing jack to rectify this issue that it seems so many of us are having!!!
Tanyaa505
May 27, 2020

In reply to by phenomenalwoman09

Did you ever receive it ?
Sammy76
May 11, 2020
I believe my check was taken from the mail, It’s been 2 weeks since informed delivery has alerted me it was in the mail. Spam mail was delivered that day that was also in informed delivery. I try to alert the post office but it is closed to the public in my area.
rich
May 11, 2020
The 24th of April,the irs scheduled my payment to Be mailed. Sat may 11th I got the letter from trump saying that I am receiving 1,200 under the cares act ,but yet have yet to receive a check . From my understanding the check come first and then the letter . So what do I do next?
nalleli96
May 12, 2020

In reply to by rich

I’m on the same boat my stimulus check was scheduled to be sent on April 24 and I never received it I moved out of that address but that’s the address I had on my tax return and now I don’t k ow what to do and there’s no way to contact IRS have you learned any new information in this matter
brantyal
May 15, 2020

In reply to by nalleli96

I have the same problem. It showed on the post office web that it was coming May 8 th. All of my other mail came but no stimulus check. I have gone to my post office twice. The post office takes no responsibility for it missing. How do I get a new check issued to me?
Anne
May 13, 2020

In reply to by rich

Same here letter first no check . Scheduled mail date April 24
AHarding
May 18, 2020

In reply to by Anne

I called the 1800 829 3676 and got to speak with someone the lady said that too keep calling daily to see if customer service was open that the checks are suppose to come first than the letter I received the letter but no check my check said it was mailed on April 24th
Baleigh Don't …
May 13, 2020

In reply to by rich

I am in the same boat! My check was mailed the 28th- I got the letter stating it had been mailed today (May 12th) BUT NO CHECK! All of us who are dealing with this- can you please post if you end up receiving your check?? Thank you!!!
Dane
June 02, 2020

In reply to by rich

I got letter From Trump saying my stimulus was deposited into the correct account but the bank has never received it nor have I. What do I do now
scas
May 11, 2020
How do you report someone who is trying to fraudulently collect the stimulus for a child if the parent doesn't qualify for it? Example- a non parent and custodial boyfriend trying to claim a child to qualify for the money.
Bruce Renn
May 11, 2020
what if it says my check was mailed on May 1 but I still don't have it as of May 11th
Nikii
May 12, 2020
I got a letter stung payment received in the mail for my stimulus check. It says on the irs portal that i will have it mailed out on may 1st and today may 11th i received the letter from the white house arguing your payment was received......I NEVER GOT A CHECK I THE MAIL....bad enough irs been 2 months without unemployment or federal money......i need it.....what did i do now....i can't call the irs. I am searching what to do and i am clueless. I don't know if it's even possible to receive the check after this letter arrived today? I need answers please
Motomike
May 13, 2020

In reply to by Nikii

Same exact problem word for word for me. Please let me know if you find any solution, and I will do the same for you. Thanks
Krista27
May 12, 2020
What if a family member steals your stimulus check ..how much trouble will they be in?
FTC Staff
May 20, 2020

In reply to by Krista27

You can report the stolen check and create an IRS affidavit at www.IdentityTheft.gov. Click "Get Started" on the first page. On the next page, click on the green bar that says " someone claimed an economic stimulus payment using my information."

Fill in what you know to create an identity theft report and IRS Identity Theft Affidavit. The system will create a list of steps for what you can do next.

leylo
June 09, 2020

In reply to by FTC Staff

How do we find out if our check was cashed? I see the image of the check in my email from the USPS; but, I don't know who can tell me if it was cashed.
Raypro05
May 12, 2020
I am on SS disability. Have been waiting for stimulus check it hit me anxious really bad. I have traumatizes of what happened in the past. Someone stole my SS number, bank checking, and using my name for credit card and other more. I pray so hard that not happening because I attempted many time to enter get my payment neither filling non-filer to update. They say not found match wonder what does that means? I attempted several time to do correctly can’t be possible there nothing missing or error address and my SSN. I hope not ID theft. I have to give other week waiting to see if any luck for stimulus check direct deposit into my Direct Express. If not get any luck then that’s possible ID theft for sure.
JayLyn
May 12, 2020
OUR SO CALLED CHECK WAS SENT OFF ON THE 24TH AND STILL HAVE NOT RECIEVED IT, WE BELIEVE SOMEONE HAD STOLEN IT FROM OUR MAILBOX BUT AGAIN I AM NOT SURE SEEING ALLOT OF PEOPLE HAVEN'T GOTTEN THEM YET.. I WANT TO KNOW HOW TO CONTACT SOMEONE REGARDING THIS ISSUE? IRS IS CLOSED AND IT'S HARD SEARCHING FOR SOMEONE TO CALL ON THE MATTER.. IF ANYONE HAD A CLUE ON WHAT TO DO PLEASE LET ME KNOW?
nikki1610
May 12, 2020

In reply to by JayLyn

I received a letter too but I have not gotten a check or a deposit of any sort I have been looking for some one too call as well but everything I look up says the IRS is not taking calls at the moment my letter came yesterday my status on the irs said my check would be mailed on the may 24 the same day this letter was mailed and I have 4 baby’s an one on the way haven’t been able to work so we could definitely use this I have no clue what to do or who to report this too or if someone stole it
MEDWAYNE
May 13, 2020

In reply to by JayLyn

I got the letter saying the IRS send my check on 24 of April today is May 13 I'm pretty sure someone else took out my mailbox what do I do im a single dad of two girls 7 and 11 and I was supposed to receive 2200 dollars I'm not getting no unemployment and haven't worked in 2 months what can I do I need my check it really is a terrible thing the IRS don't have a way to replace it or at least report it thanks for not helping out the people that need it the worst IRS
Rahsin
May 13, 2020

In reply to by JayLyn

I'll having the same problem!!! Mailed on april 24, nothing yet!! Not sure what to do..
Stolen Check
May 12, 2020
My check was arriving from the post office on 4/24/20. It never got to me and post office is claiming it was mail theft. How can I get my stimulus payment? I requested an online deposit that I provided the IRS with and paper check was sent.
StolenCheck
May 12, 2020
My check was arriving from the post office on 4/24/20. It never got to me and post office is claiming it was mail theft. How can I get my stimulus payment? I requested an online deposit that I provided the IRS with and paper check was sent. I saw the scan from Informed Delivery through USPS with correct mailing address. Check never arrived and is gone.
nikki1610
May 12, 2020
This is crazy I got the inpact latter from the White House yesterday I have been looking for way to report that I didn’t not receive no such check my status was it would be mailed April 24 same day they sent this letter I’m confused if it was stolen or still in the mail some where the IRS isn’t taking calls at this time and I have know clue who to call I have four baby’s and one on the way and have not been able to work God knows we could use it!!! If anyone has any clue who to contact about this please let me know
Carla
May 12, 2020
The IRS website said they mailed my Stimulus check on May 1st to my tax office Independence tax service . Every time I call the tax office they say that they can't get into the mailbox and the only person that can get in the mailbox is out of town, I call them every day and they keep giving me the runaround. They told me that the manager would be in today but she never showed up and they don't have any idea when she would be back. I have bills that are due and could really use that money. What should I do?
Jezzyjez
June 03, 2020

In reply to by Carla

I recieved a letter yesterday stating that my 1200 was deposited by direct because I'm SSI. But I did not receive it. I thought the money comes first and then the letter comes 15 days later. What do I do? I tried calling the number they give you,I tried going on the website but all it keeps saying is the information I entered doesn't match their records. Anyone have any suggestions it would greatly be appreciated. Thank you!
Sisterinneed
May 13, 2020
How do I report that a person collected and used money that should have gone to another person? My family is in need of information
Username
May 13, 2020
Saw stimulus check on USPS Informed Delivery on April 30th. It never arrived that day. It is now May 13th and still no check, but all my other mail has been delivered promptly. I called USPS, but they don’t care even though it was in their possession last. I have a locked box in a secured building so this was not stolen from my mailbox. Went missing somewhere internally at USPS. How do I get any help?
FTC Staff
May 14, 2020

In reply to by Username

You can report mail theft to the US Postal Service. Start on this page by clicking “Where is my package” even if you are asking about a missing letter. Give as much information as you can in the report.

You can also report your experience to your state Attorney General. This page lists all state Attorneys General.

leylo
June 09, 2020

In reply to by FTC Staff

Okay; I've filed the report. But, how do I let the government know so they can issue a new check? I don't see any answers here from FTC to help us. Step 1, step 2, etc. I have the scanned image of the check from USPS; I've filed a complaint. Now what?
mary G wells
May 13, 2020
I received a letter saying my check had arrived but, I have never received my check. said it was sent on 4-24-2020 today is may 13th
Concerned Citizen
May 13, 2020
Trying to track down a check for my elderly grandmother. The online portal said the check should've gone out 4/24 (we still have not gotten anything). What should we do? It looks like many others on this site are experiencing the same thing with regards to the 4/24 mail-out date. Thanks.
JanelleDearing9311
May 13, 2020
What do I for a stimulus check that was sent in both my name and my husband's name? He took off with and how could he cash it without me being there also?? Help me please.
FTC Staff
May 20, 2020

In reply to by JanelleDearing9311

You can report a stolen check and create an IRS affidavit at www.IdentityTheft.gov. Click "Get Started" on the first page. On the next page, click on the green bar that says " someone claimed an economic stimulus payment using my information."

Fill in what you know to create an identity theft report and IRS Identity Theft Affidavit. The system will create a list of steps for what you can do next.

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