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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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Juevette
May 20, 2020

In reply to by Mookie

I’m dealing with the same problem mines was supposed to be mailed out May 1 also but my other problem is it was mailed to my old address
80z
May 18, 2020
It seems that I'm in the same position as everyone else. On 5/9 informed delivery sent me an email with an image of the stimulus check. Needless to say it never arrived, but our other mail that was shown to be arriving came without any issues. I've been to the local post office and they've told me that the image for informed delivery is taken at the distribution center in portland. I tried going there but was told that customers could not enter and only employees were allowed in. I know for certain that it made it to the distribution center (thank god for informed delivery.) Now I just want to find out if that check has been stolen and cashed. If it hasn't been cashed, then I just want a way to cancel it before whoever has it figures out a way to cash it, or finds a place willing to cash a fraudulent stimulus check. The longer an active check is out there, the more opportunity there is for something to happen. I empathize with everyone and I am truly at a loss as to what steps to take next. I can't get anyone from the IRS on the phone. I've tried the number provided but it seems like it's only for automated information. And on the website it asks to please not contact them about the stimulus check. Please, I'd greatly appreciate.
ckoger
May 18, 2020
My stimulus check was scheduled to be mailed April 24th it’s May 18th and I still haven’t received the check or the letter WHAT’S GOING ON
Plasticlumber
May 18, 2020
Im on Social Security & had to change my bank info after someone in Malaysia was connected to my email. Everyone I know got a check including my bro in law who I live and care for. I just feel abandoned after working 47 years. What if it was stolen from mail? Tried get my payment. Says no info. Thanks for nothing.
Britannia
May 18, 2020
Somebody stole my check and cashed it
FTC Staff
May 20, 2020

In reply to by Britannia

This FTC blog post explains what to do if you think an identity thief got your stimulus payment.

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.

incomplete
May 29, 2020

In reply to by FTC Staff

"The system will create a list of steps for what you can do next." What are those steps? If this is like everything else has been in this process I am betting that it makes you go through all of those steps only to discover that the "next steps" are useless and provide no answers about getting a replacement for the lost payment.
Camilliuslavat…
September 16, 2021

In reply to by Britannia

I got my stimulus in the IRS card that was sent to me but I was already active an the use it how can I get my stimulus money back
Bambam012
May 18, 2020
My stimulus mail date was april 24th. I received the notice over a week ago I'm receiving the 1200$stimulus by check/debit card. It has been 24 days since the mail date. What should I do? The number on the notice is all automated. Nothing to do with lost nor stolen stimulus checks. Nothing on irs page for it either.
Blanton
May 19, 2020
My check was mailed on the 24th of April..This was after I entered direct deposit information..My address has been updated since January and I have yet to even see my check in my USPS dashboard..Its something wrong and Its so messed up you can't contact the IRS about this!
Mottaboy
May 19, 2020
Our stimulus check is missing. The IRS portal says the check was direct deposited to our bank account, with the correct last 4 digits of the account, but never showed up. We received the letter signed by Trump stating it had been deposited but still nothing. Spoke with our bank who did an investigation on it but now they say we need the 15 digit tracking number from the IRS for the ckeck but cannot get ahold of anyone there. Any ideas on what to do?
spirithaven
June 09, 2020

In reply to by Mottaboy

I also went on mine to the IRS government where's my stimulus it shows that it was scheduled for May 20th to my direct deposit which also showed the last four correct numbers XXXX . The 20th has come and gone I also got the letter saying that I had received my stimulus check which I have not. The bank said they never received it so what's going on any advice?
puig1973
May 20, 2020
Y would any1 be allowed to deposit a stimulus check that isnt theirs I to their account?how?y?
Tony
May 19, 2020
I had to receive my stimulus check by mail on 1st may also i saw picture on usps email too, but I didn't get anything. What i need to do ?
Maryle
May 19, 2020
My boyfriend still has not received his payment. I received mine a few weeks ago. How can I check to see if someone stole his identity and stimulus check?
Jaclyn
May 19, 2020
The IRS website says my check was sent on April 24th as well. I also received a letter saying my payment was sent to me in form of check/debit card but I did not receive anything. It’s possible that my check was stolen. If so, what should I do? Seeing that others whose checks were sent around the same date did not receive their payment, could this be an IRS issue? How can we contact the IRS when our answers aren’t on the website and the phone only has automated messages???
Acar
May 19, 2020
My money was supposedly mailed on April 26. I received the letter saying it was on its way. Was I supposed to receive the letter before or after the check? I need to know what happened to my check. I really need the money. How can I know if someone else cashed it or if it was deposited into some account or probably the mail man placed it into someone elses mailbox.
Nancy
May 20, 2020
Hi is there any way I can check if my stimulus check has been cashed? If I report it lost how long will it take get it again?
Kyle Casten
May 20, 2020
My stimulus check was mailed to an old address. How do I know if the person living in my old house hasn’t thrown my mail away or if he returns it, will it find me at my new address?
ElijahRosa
May 20, 2020
Irs get my payment tool said to be mailed April 24 and it’s may 20 and still nothing not even the letter. The website doesn’t help much for people that have moved since filing taxes. Even tho it says as long as address is updated with the usps I should receive my payment still nothing and to top it all the Usps hasn’t gaven me any of my mail since I’ve moved even tho I changed my address with them so does that mean I won’t get my check ?
Al423Chattanooga
May 20, 2020
Get my payment page says mailed out on May 1st. Never received it. Got the letter saying I would get it on a check/debit card. I received the letter from them on May 17th. How do I know if someone has cashed my check?
Juevette
May 20, 2020
I used the get my payment tool for my stimulus check it told me to add my bank account information to set up direct deposit I did then when I went back on To see when the money will be deposited into my account it said they scheduled the check to mailed on May 1 2020 to the address they have on file which was my old address I moved I tried to update it myself but it didn’t let me I went to file my taxes with my new address and Days after I filed I tried to enter the new address in the get my tool payment Along with my information and it says they don’t have any information for me I check the old address one it said that I would be receiving a letter in 15 days to be able to notify them if I received it or not but how can I notify them if they’re mailing it to the old address and not my new one I’ve also gone to the post office since I did file a change of address when I moved in Dec 2019and they told me it should be redirected Since it hasn’t been a year of me living at my new address they didn’t give me any more information other than that they just said to wait it is now may 20th 2020 I still haven’t received it I’ve gone tried going to the old address several times To ask the tenant if they received my letter or sent it back but I’ve had no luck in speaking to a person since no one answers the door how do I report the irs that I haven’t received my payment ?
Frustrated in NJ
May 20, 2020
My message on the IRS coronavirus/get-my-payment website notes that the IRS scheduled my payment to be deposited on May 13, 2020 into my bank account. Unfortunately, to date, the IRS has not deposited funds into the account, and live representatives of my bank say that the stimulus money has NOT been deposited. (I checked with the bank twice.) I have no idea if a minor mistake has been made or if fraud has occurred since there is no live support available from the IRS to address such concerns. Why support a second round of possible payments through the HEROES Act when the first round of stimulus payments has been such a scattershot process?
Sarahraven
May 20, 2020
I check my and it says it was mailed out on 24th of april and it is may 20th annd still no check but got the letter stating that i am getting one. But still nothing. Really could use it
Rodney
May 20, 2020
I had my check sent to a address that the residents claim it never came through the mail there??
saundrabradley771
May 22, 2020
My stimulus check was stolen out of my car what can i do
FTC Staff
May 22, 2020

In reply to by saundrabradley771

You can report that to the police.

You can also 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 to deal with identity theft.

Fbarry
May 21, 2020
Who do I call if someone filed my son stimulus check is stolen someone found them on their taxes
Ericamtz31
May 21, 2020
My four year old destroyed my stimulus check. He ripped it all apart.. it wasn’t cashed. what can I do in order for me to get another replacement check ?
marie
May 21, 2020
The get my payment portal told me I would receive my payment on may 13.Well like every one else no payment,and of course you cant talk to anyone at irs. just a recording and no answers...….something is really messed up.IRS PLEASE DO SOMETHING AND ANSWER OUR THOUGHTS...…………...
Faycrid1
May 21, 2020
My son received the letter saying his stimulus was being direct deposited but has not received it. He is on SSDI and I understand the letter comes after the deposit. Get My Payment site says no information how can I check to see what has happened. Thank you
Nita hl
May 21, 2020
IRS get my payment site says , deposited 0n April 30, in a bank account that is mine , But its 5/21 and nothing. No letter , no deposit , no rep for irs to ask .. NOTHING !!! What to do ?
Kraziekilla042…
May 21, 2020
It says to me it sent my stimulus check on the 29th of april and I still have not got it I get ssi and ssd and I have the direct express card from social security what do I do I called the irs and nothing I'm so upset I have no idea what to do
Aleshia ray
May 21, 2020
I sent off my son Stemless check He got his we filled same day I didn’t get mine never got one I o ssi
CAC Rodriguez
May 21, 2020
My mother’s stimulus check was sent to a old address May 2nd. Her new address was on her last income tax return. We don’t know if someone Has cashed it.
Sukhi
May 24, 2020

In reply to by CAC Rodriguez

Same I dont know if I should file for identity theft cause I got the letter from the old address that it was sent but never received the check on old or new address.
JoeSwanson
May 22, 2020
I received my check, but I misplaced it and I am worried that I threw it out by mistake. I tried calling the IRS but only get the pre-recording messages. Does anybody know how I can report the check lost and ask for another one to be sent out? I am not concerned about how long it will take for the new check to arrive, but rather that the lost check is cancelled so as not to be cashed fraudulently; I cannot find anything regarding this online - surely I am not the only one in this situation, and it is the interest of IRS to report lost checks so that they are not cashed!? Any input would be greatly appreciated :-)
Don't use your…
May 22, 2020
I have not received my stimaliss check and it's been mailed out 24th of April it's been almost a month and I still have not received it I believe someone stole my check
NickWil
May 22, 2020
Get My Payment tool asked for updated bank info, I put it in, and 24 hours later it updated saying they were sending the check April 24th. It then updated and said sent on April 24th. But I haven't received payment nor letter at this point. A month later and no answers!
Traductrice1111
May 22, 2020

In reply to by NickWil

Same here! System stated April 24 is when payment is scheduled to be sent out. As of May 22, nothing, nada!!! They need to set up a toll free number to answer people's inquiries and send these payments out. Enough is enough. There are people who are about to end up homeless in the street and loose the shirt off their back!! HELP!
Caitgalle
May 25, 2020

In reply to by NickWil

Same here....get payment dive April 17th said will be mailing check 4/24/20... Now one month LATER...No CHECK No LETTER NOTHING!!! I'm in MICHIGAN
kidtwokid
May 22, 2020
I received my notice 1444 on Monday, May 18, with my status online saying my check was mailed on May 1. Like the other comments, there's no resource to turn to. Is my check late? or was it stolen? I've googled every question I can think of. So frustrating!
kidtwokid
May 22, 2020
I received my notice 1444 on Monday, May 18, with my status online saying my check was mailed on May 1. Like the other comments, there's no resource to turn to. Is my check late? or was it stolen? I've googled every question I can think of. So frustrating!
LEO
May 22, 2020
People who have not received their check like me, call 8009199835, this is the number on your 1044. Now there are agents to answer your questions. First agent will only answer general questions, they will transfer you to the right department. Expect the wait time to be 2 hrs. I hope FTC will highlight my comment to help others.
mg6035
May 27, 2020

In reply to by LEO

I got thru on that number and was on hold for over 90 minutes. Finally got thru and gave my story. Check was to be mailed on May 1 and today is May 27 and still no check. She researched it and says the check was mailed on May 1st but they can't do a refund trace until 6 weeks has passed. So I have to call back after June 5th and go thru it all again. She said they could then do a refund trace which would take about two weeks. I guess it's to see if it was cashed or deposited. Then they could issue another check. But my question is, if it was deposited or cashed by someone else, how do I prove it wasn't me? I have a feeling this isn't going to be easy. I asked if at that time they could direct deposit it instead of mailing and she couldn't say. I don't know why they couldn't do something as simple as a website for people to put in their information if they didn't receive their payment. Seems like that would be much more efficient than tying up phones for 2 hours. Oh well, now we wait.
Jessj4190
May 22, 2020
Same here.. says mailed 4/24 and it’s 5/22 and nothing. Not even the letter !! Just filed a complaint, not sure if it will get to the right place.
Marty23
May 22, 2020
My mother had her stimulus check stolen in the mail. After she mailed it for deposit along with other checks. Someone found the envelope on the other side of town. She is 82 and I am trying to help her. Please advise. She reported to local police and filled out some forms with the government but says she has no case number and no reply. Is there anyone she can call and speak to?
Ashley 768
May 22, 2020
I'm in Ohio having the same problem as alot of others I've received the notice 1444 on may 13th which I have to say is junk. It says nothing about reporting a missing check or anything like that. The number on the bottom is also pointless as well. Get my payment says my check was mailed to the address on file on April 24th which is the address the notice went to. I have read lots of stuff saying the notice should say paper check or direct deposit but mine doesn't say either or those it says check/debit. Anyone else get this pointless notice 1444 that says check/debit but still not received their check? I know no one could have stolen the check because my mail never leaves the post office plus I called them and they said the one piece of mail ive gotten is the only thing that's went there which was the notice. I just know this is really getting aggravating. Also if you do finally get through to the actual irs number their pointless as well they told me today they only have info on actual income tax returns not stimilus checks. Any info anyone? There's no way we're all in different states with some of us having mail that doesn't leave the post office and all these checks are stolen there's something else going on here.
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