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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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The purpose of this blog and its comments section is to inform readers about Federal Trade Commission activity, and share information to help them avoid, report, and recover from fraud, scams, and bad business practices. Your thoughts, ideas, and concerns are welcome, and we encourage comments. But keep in mind, this is a moderated blog. We review all comments before they are posted, and we won’t post comments that don’t comply with our commenting policy. We expect commenters to treat each other and the blog writers with respect.

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  • We won’t post comments that include personal information, like Social Security numbers, account numbers, home addresses, and email addresses. To file a detailed report about a scam, go to ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

We don't edit comments to remove objectionable content, so please ensure that your comment contains none of the above. The comments posted on this blog become part of the public domain. To protect your privacy and the privacy of other people, please do not include personal information. Opinions in comments that appear in this blog belong to the individuals who expressed them. They do not belong to or represent views of the Federal Trade Commission.

mesoblessed
June 08, 2020

In reply to by Highhopes

I had my mail forwarded in January to my new address April 24 th they sent it to my old address but it hasn't been forwarded do you change address or forward mail ? I haven't received the check or letter
lawoo
May 20, 2020

In reply to by FTC Staff

I have the same problem and your reply doesn’t tell us what to do if the payment never arrives (mailed payment)
czechadelphia
May 27, 2020

In reply to by FTC Staff

Hi, can you acknowledge the 4/24 issue? It's clear something went wrong with that mailing date.
Cherbear
May 27, 2020

In reply to by FTC Staff

Get my payment tool says it was mailed May 1st. Received a letter stating i was receiving a stimulus check dated May 1st. Still havent received my stumulus. How is it one letter made it here but not the important check?
Mikemcfly
May 28, 2020

In reply to by Cherbear

I'm in the same boat been waiting since the first and got my letter but no money
nyNY
June 06, 2020

In reply to by Cherbear

Exactly the same for me...Get My Payment says May 1. Got the letter but no check/debit card. What next??
Yu144
June 05, 2020

In reply to by FTC Staff

I was claimed as a dependent illegally... I called FTC and had to fill out the form to report this fraud issue... I also reported to the credit bureaus... I am trying to figure out when will I get a stimulus and haven't had anyone to truly assist me with any solid insight at all..
Oldom17
August 24, 2020

In reply to by Yu144

I am having the exact same problem with a family member and my check. Have you made it any further in the process yet? Any advice or info you could provide in reference to the situation would be helpful.
Ilya
June 07, 2020

In reply to by FTC Staff

Hi, I got my letter through mail about payment, but didn’t received check or payment in the account. What should I do?
Joanneamartine…
May 06, 2020

In reply to by Cappy

Get my payment said I’d get a check in the mail on May 1, 2020. It didn’t arrive. Is the US MAIL just delivering late? Or did someone else get my check. All my neighbors received their stimulus checks in the mail.
MUSICA
May 11, 2020

In reply to by Joanneamartine…

SAME HERE...IN FLORIDA. We scheduled your check to be mailed on May 01, 2020 to the address we have on file for you. We will mail you a letter with additional information on this payment. If you need additional help or do not receive your payment, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions page. THEN YOU CLICK ON FAQ AND GET NO INFO!
Eddie
May 15, 2020

In reply to by MUSICA

Same here , Miami Florida. We scheduled your check to be mailed on May 01, 2020 to the address we have on file for you. It's now May 15, 2020 and no check, I did receive the letter from the IRS saying "I am pleased to notify you that as provided by the CARES Act, you are receiving an Economic Impact Payment of $1,200.00 by check/debit card." I'm starting to think it may be stolen, but don't know where to report it.
Cnicole20
May 22, 2020

In reply to by Eddie

Same w me. Supposed to arrived on 1st of May still haven't got it got the letter from the White House telling me that I received my money but still no check I have the IRS get my payment app I have the u.s. mail app I've checked the automated line to see if my check was offset everything is legit but I still have no money
FTC Staff
May 22, 2020

In reply to by Cnicole20

The letter from the White House includes a phone number for the IRS so you can call with questions. 

JohnBac924
May 23, 2020

In reply to by FTC Staff

The number included with the letter brings you to no one. The ORS has no one working to answer phone calls for those of us who are waiting for a check still. Mine was mailed May 1st, the 19th I got the letter saying it was mailed and still no check. This is ridiculous.
aberwife
May 23, 2020

In reply to by FTC Staff

My letter does not have a phone number on it. When I call the number I found online, there is still no way to report anything. It just tells me to check get my payment (which shows it was sent on 4/24).
zsu
May 29, 2020

In reply to by FTC Staff

the number on letter is dead,we can call but no real person!
Crystal
May 27, 2020

In reply to by Eddie

APOPKA, FL Same with me, the website said my check was mailed by May 1, 2020 and here it is May 27, 2020 and still no check. I did receive the automated letter stating I got it but never did. I think someone stole it because I have informed delivery and saw the date it was supposed to be in my mailbox and it never made it. If anyone have a good contact number to get in touch with Department of Treasury...Please share. I’m super fed up.
CJ
May 28, 2020

In reply to by Crystal

The website says my check was mailed on 4/24. Informed delivery shows the envelope with the check and the envelope with the letter that were mailed to me several weeks ago. Have no way to speak to anyone to see if the check was cashed by someone else. Need this $!
Shie
May 31, 2020

In reply to by CJ

Yes you can call the bureau of fiscal service but call at 7 am if u call later than that good luck just listen to the prompts they told me my check was cashed and I had a mail date of April 24 someone stole it and cashed it April 28
marty
June 01, 2020

In reply to by CJ

So I was told by the get my refund it would be in my account, right numbers and account on May 13th. I haven't recieved it today is 6/1/2020.I recieved my letter saying i was paid 1,200.00 direct deposit, not true, and could not speak with anyone from irs. metabank swears, never receiving payment but states they have the right account number Its website. where to go from here. try me with any HELP
Laceycat
May 28, 2020

In reply to by Eddie

My stimulas was to be sent 4/24 . Called irs this morn. He said that it should have arrived by now. Now they will investigate. To see if stolen and cashed or delivered at wrong adress and sent back.will be a pretty lengthy process. I hope this helps.
Need my $
June 02, 2020

In reply to by Laceycat

what irs number did you call and get this info? My check was supposedly sent to an old address. It was not forwarded to me, and I still have not received it. Thank you
DHarris
June 03, 2020

In reply to by Laceycat

This is similar to my situation, finally got ahold of irs check was mailed APRIL 24TH and the lady was super rude and told me to wait 6 MONTHS!! ABSOLUTELY UNBELIEVABLE.6 MONTHS. Should i call back?
Breham
May 17, 2020

In reply to by MUSICA

My stimulus was mailed out on May 1 2020 I still haven't received my payment in the mail
Terri
May 29, 2020

In reply to by Breham

Same! I am.freaking out. Website said mailed May 1, I have not received check or letter.
Addita
May 29, 2020

In reply to by MUSICA

Same issue here.. just received the letter but not a check, which was mailed out on the 15 of may... and we are on the 29th of may!
Coutman
May 11, 2020

In reply to by Joanneamartine…

I have the same issue. But I use informed delivery from the USPS. I saw a pic of the check on May 4th, but it never made it to my house. The address was correct. Here it is a week later and still no check. And no guidance in what to do.
Halocity94
May 12, 2020

In reply to by Coutman

On Informed Delivery, if it's still available, click on "Did not receive this mail piece" the USPS will then open an investigation, and HOPEFULLY find it! I feel you though, mine was supposedly mailed on April 24th and I still have yet to receive it.
Newman
May 18, 2020

In reply to by Halocity94

I got the letter from the white house but haven't received my check on the get my payment it says mail on April 24th and still nothing
Cgg4314
May 21, 2020

In reply to by Newman

I had the same thing happen any luck with the check are did u find out what to do?
Casper
May 12, 2020

In reply to by Coutman

Same here. Saw the image of the envelope with check on Informed Delivery on April 30th and then it never arrived. I have a locked mailbox inside a secured building and have never had an issue with my mail before. I keep reading the same situation from others. They need a way to cancel missing check and reissue.
Melissa
May 13, 2020

In reply to by Casper

Are you 100% sure it was an image of the check. I have never received my check (said it should arrive 4/24) nor did I ever see an image of it through Informed Delivery. I did, however, just get the letter on Monday and got the image of that.
Waldo3431
May 15, 2020

In reply to by Melissa

My problem is the same I saw the picture of the stimulus check on informed delivery and there is no doubt it Is the stimulus check...I have an iPad and Can see the letter was sent from the Department of Treasury from Philadelphia...I can even see the pay to the order to my name on the check...somebody is stealing these checks ...this is the only piece of mail that hasn’t been delivered to my mailbox
Casper
May 15, 2020

In reply to by Melissa

I am 100% sure it was the check. I still have the email from Informed Delivery with the image of this piece of mail. It is from the US Treasury and you can see some of the words of "pay to the order of" to the left of my name and address. Informed Delivery image was April 30th and still no check.
Ashleyj
May 14, 2020

In reply to by Casper

I still have not received my stimulus check either. On the USPS Informed Delivery, it showed a picture of my check and that it would be delivered 6 days ago. My check is no longer on the USPS Informed Delivery App and my local post office told me today that it “probably got lost in the mail on the way to their post office.” This is crazy! All my other mail is getting to me, so what is the problem with my check?! I’m a single mom of two teenage boys and a teacher. I am not working right now because the schools are closed, it literally took me contacting the governor’s office here in Louisiana to get my unemployment insurance started (I’ve worked and paid taxes for the last 21 years and I’m about to be 38 years old), and now I can’t get my stimulus check because of our post office! I am so upset! I don’t know how much more of this I can take. My depression and anxiety is so bad right now... God bless and y’all stay safe.
Cza80
May 19, 2020

In reply to by Casper

I had the same issue too. I have informed delivery and have gotten every single piece of mail EXCEPT my stimulus check that was scanned.
Crystal
May 27, 2020

In reply to by Casper

Same here, my informed delivery has not been wrong yet. Everything it says I’m getting is usually in the mail but for this check to mysteriously not be there after it said it was make me believe someone in the post office stole it. Now I could be wrong but I have a strong haunch that I’m not.
P.I. Willingly
May 30, 2020

In reply to by Crystal

I think you’re correct. How else could so many checks on the same dates go missing without anyone reporting a mail thief or mailbox checkers? Oddly enough it’s all over the country and seems to go missing between usps locations that Scan the Mail and the Mailbox....seems to me it’s Someone or multiple people...either right after it scanned and sorted or the delivery of the mail...but that would mean multiple drivers all over the country...it seems more likely to be someone in the main hub where it’s sorted and scanned.....something doesn’t add up....and I can’t imagine mail thieves only taking one envelop from every mail box and leaving the rest ... especially when that one piece just happens to be the Stimulus check... on the day that the checks are sent out....that’s a psychic thief and a fast one....And a skilled lock picker being able to get into locked mailboxes unnoticed and without damage....
Dannamoore9
May 20, 2020

In reply to by Coutman

Same thing has happened to me .. did you get any information??
Kysilvercreek
July 29, 2020

In reply to by Coutman

Same situation. Then when I asked the mail lady why she didn't deliver it, she started the name wasn't in the mail box. Clicked missing mail and still haven't heard nothing from them either.
Robbie Bell
May 12, 2020

In reply to by Joanneamartine…

Did you ever get your check we are having the same problem says it was to be mailed out may 01,2020 and everyone around me has got theirs but I haven't received mine yet just curious if you got yours yet
Rehab
May 19, 2020

In reply to by Robbie Bell

me the same! The check was sent on May 1st. Today is May 19th and I got nothing. I got a letter from IRS saying "you've received your check!"
Antonm1846
May 23, 2020

In reply to by Rehab

yep same with me i went to get my payment and it said my check was mailed out on the first and a few days ago i got a letter stating i received a check via paper/debit card but i havent seen the check itself yet