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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.

kitten06
June 08, 2020
i think someone else got my kids i'm raising check, what can i do to find out if he did ?
Eli
June 08, 2020
My check sent to my old appartment. How can I contact irs to transfer to my new address?
mm1324
June 08, 2020
The post office said the stimulus check was delivered to my mailbox on May 15 at 4:17 pm. There was no check in the mailbox and mail was removed almost immediately. I never recieved the follow up email from Irs either
LETY
June 08, 2020
Stimulus check specting on mail on Abril 29 havent arrive yet propably stolen from the mail box.
Ddogable
June 08, 2020
I received an email about my payment being mailed 5/15. Still nothing, desperately need it.
MZ
June 08, 2020
I called the 800-919-9835 number and was only disconnected twice! Yet I finally talked to a real IRS agent. After taking all my information- name, birthdate and social security number- it was determined that we must file and send an IRS Form 3911 to do a trace on the stimulus check. While I was at it, I had them look up my income tax refund. Since I sent it on paper last April, the IRS has done nothing yet because of the virus. But they will get right on it by the end of the week. So there's hope we will see our money some day!
Louis
June 08, 2020
I received a letter signed by Donald J. Trump, dated May 15, 2020 saying that my Economic Impact Payment has arrived, but I still haven't received it. The letter goes on to say that we are "receiving an Economic Impact Payment of $2,400.00 by check/debit card." We received nothing from the IRS since we received the notice from the White House. How can I report this to the IRS? When I first checked with the "Where's My Payment" portal in Aprl it indicated the we would receive payment which was being mailed on May 25th, 2020 and when I checked after getting the notice from Donald Trump the portal indicated that the payment was being mailed on May 15, 2010. We still have not received the Economic Impact Statement. We are totally confused now. Any suggestions?
Amber
June 09, 2020
They said they mailed my check out April 24th . It's now June 9th . Still got nothing . Everytime I call the IRS tells me they cant do anything .
amy mcguire
June 09, 2020
I never got my stimulus check . Think someone stole my stimulus check
Hh79
June 09, 2020
This is what I figured out today after not being able to reach ANYONE. Call the 1-800-919-9835 on the bottom of your letter. DO NOT press any prompts, not even English. I did it twice and someone answered within about 10 minutes each time. I am currently on hold to the IRS number that they forwarded me to. They will be figuring if it went on card or check and then tracking it she said.
Omar973
June 09, 2020
Hi I reported tax fraud and and I’m guessing the person that did it received my stimulus payment. I would like to know will I still be able to receive a stimulus check after everything is resolved?
Mickey75
June 09, 2020
Status says to be deposited to a 16 digit account on May 28th, no bank account, debit maybe, and still yet to recieve, idk what to do..I've done the USPS tracking tool and have it set up now as of June 8th..anyone else have this issue??
pwicca
June 09, 2020
What if your stimulus payment was stolen but not through identity theft? It appears that it was stolen by a postal employee or contractor who temporarily covered their tracks by taking the rest of my mail out of my mailbox and returning it to the senders claiming I'd moved & didn't leave a forwarding address. I found out when I tried to use a credit card that I use infrequently and it said not authorized. I called to see why and found out that my statement had been sent back to them on 5/20; my stimulus check was scheduled to be mailed on 5/15 so the following Wednesday (20th) is right about the same time it would have arrived.
Mommy of 2
June 10, 2020
Anyone know a phone # that I can talk to.live person at irs an not just recordings?? My check said was mailed on may 8th still have not received check or letter?? Why is the irs not.putting something out there to recover our checks!! We need our money!!
mike
June 15, 2020
Hello? Does anyone from the IRS read these? Great job, my federal employees! Website does not help or provide any answer. No one to talk to. I would take a job like that for half the money! You cannot provide an informative reply with all the computer power and the system?
Arak91
June 15, 2020
I was married in 2017 but I left my husband in 2018 we are separated and have been for the past three years I haven’t received my stimulus he claims he received his and it was only for him since I am eligible to get a stimulus I have a feeling that he got my check. What can I do?
MZ
June 10, 2020
Anna, exactly the same thing with me. The IRS portal said the stimulus check would be issued May 1st, and the USPS Informed Delivery showed a picture of the check in the envelope that was to be in my mailbox May 8th (and the check had the May 1 date on it). This is good information for us (thanks) because there should not have been a full week gap between issuance date and Informed Delivery date, but instead like my son's check, just four days. There's slim to none chance the check was stolen. This implies there is obviously some snafu going on with the Post Office. I think Informed Delivery records from the local distribution center, mine being in San Jose, CA. Thus my guess is there may have a bin of checks that somehow got misplaced. Or maybe our USPS carriers mis-delivered them- which happens often btw. Hopefully they will be found. Otherwise, after dealing with the IRS in vain several times (there might be some recourse with that Form 3911, I don't know), I am afraid I might have to write off that sorely needed twelve hundred bucks.
Moses free
June 10, 2020
We had break in on the apartment building on all the mail boxes an the Mailman knows an i never receive my check im a single father with two sons . Is there anyway that i can know if my check is gone been stolen. Can i be able to track my check. We are really in need . can someone PLEASE HELP US.
Concerned Citizen
June 11, 2020
I'd like to know where my stimulus check is? It was mailed to an old mailing address in April that now belongs to someone else. I went there and asked the new owners if they received my check, there response was, we haven't received it and that we use to put return to sender on mail that did not below to us. How can I find out where my check is, has it been cashed, can it be re-issued? Thank you
Cooltom
June 11, 2020
Here's one my parents 90 and 95 years old recieve social security and retirement have filled and paid 2019 taxes get my payment says card mailed may 15th so mom throws away the plain white envelope with the card so you have to call the card company 2 options type in the card number but since you don't have it you get a hang up call back for lost one 2and option put in last 6 digits of ss number and zip well they have no record of it and hang up irs gives me number for maybe a stop payment and when they answer no voice just a few numbers being pushed then hang up so riddle me this dilemma
andosan
June 11, 2020
What about a stimulus check that was sent but never arrived? the "Get My Payment" portal showed it sent out May 4th. I don't know if there is identity theft involved but I'm going to do form 14039 anyway as there are no means of recourse for my situation. Wish there was a way to see if the check was cashed.
Looking for st…
June 11, 2020
Where do I report and check the status a missing check on line? I reported it lost on June 3rd. I can't find the site anymore and wanted to check the status. The last info I had was: Report Form Confirmation - We appreciate you taking the time to provide information that will assist us in improving and strengthening the Internal Revenue Service. The information you provided has been sent to our Complaints Unit via e-mail. - Thank you for your assistance, - TIGTA Complaints Unit
Samantha
June 11, 2020
I am having a major issue I can't seem to find help with online. My x boyfriend has received the stimulus checks for both my children he doesnt even care for, nor are we any longer in the same home. Havent been since all of this pandemic started. Bc they went on previous years taxes where I allowed him to file us all on his taxes as I was a stay at home mother at the time. He refuses to give me my children's stimulus money. He isnt even the father of one of my children an NEITHER of my 2 children have been in his care for any of 2020 or most 2019 for that matter. I NEED HELP! Please ! My belief was that, that money was to help pay for what my children may need. This guy doesn't even pay child support. Nothing!! an refuses to give me the stimulus as it was directly deposited into his account.
checkhelp
June 12, 2020
It says my check was mailed the 22 of may... i also received a letter letting me know i had received it... yet no check! I have called all the numbers given and can’t get anyone! Is it possible it’s still on its way? Has it been stolen? Has anyone been able to talk to someone?! Help please!!
khabirelaroua
June 15, 2020
I get the check a s and I. Lost it so wha I have to do to get ather one plz let me know thanks
Meistic
June 13, 2020
My stimulus payment has been sent to a bank account that I have no connection with. How can I report this
Darnelly062
June 13, 2020
payment stolen
StellarW
June 13, 2020
I got a letter saying I’m getting a stimulus Debit card or deposit, but I never got either. The letter stated my card was mailed. Someone must have stolen it. How do I resolve this? Was my identity stolen?
crisis7004
June 15, 2020
My check was stolen. From the mailbox . The person will admit. Just need get the money back now
sawyerjaidensm…
June 13, 2020
I like to report that I did not get my stimulus check but got a letter in the mail , I think someone got the check out of my mailbox need help
JuliaF2020
June 13, 2020
I am worried someone else cashed my boyfriend's stimulus check. Is it too late to take action, or could it still be on the way?
Poco 33
June 14, 2020
I haven't received ANYTHING either . I think sending cards was a big mistake , anyone could be stealing the cards , i hate to say it ,but could also possibly be the mail carriers .
riley5797
June 14, 2020
Get my payment says check mailed APRIL 24. Still have not received it or any letter. What should I do?
Cathy
June 14, 2020
I set up direct deposit , however I received my $1200, but my two children do not get their money ! How should I report it ?
Carol
June 14, 2020
It's June 14th and the IRS still do not recognize my SSN. I still have not received my stimulus payment. I have direct deposit and I am on disability. I have already filled out the nonfiler form. Still doesn't recognize me and I can't track a payment. Who do I contact. Is the IRS fraudulent?
Supermom81
June 15, 2020
Been past two month haven't got my stimulus . went to get payment portal and tell they send check april 28th from last address i had in file . . know from last old address usps postal already had my current address so i have got letter forward to mailbox. So if got letter forward to mailbox around april .why haven't got my stimulus yet . i have several times irs told last bank acct i had file reversed back . so they send out check . i spoken with somebody else irs told me fill out form 3911.. Irs need to answer some questions . how can i can now be available to give direct deposit .. Or set up link with customers that have problems not received there stimulus .. Is hassle call them on phone and no answer too .
Deershadow71
June 15, 2020
I had my Stimulus check going into my Chime card and someone from pay pal stole it. No one had my information but me. I couldn't pay my bills cause it got stolen alone with 2 Social Security checks. I reported this to Chime and they are looking into it and hope they will replace my money. So far haven't heard back from them. Can you please help me? Thank you, Barbara A Ballenger
rocker74
June 15, 2020
stim. check sent to unknown account, on 5/27 on 6/12 rec. letter from white house of deposit. i got nothin what steps do i take, thanks
PjHoard
June 15, 2020
I was told I didn't have to file for stimulas ck I get ssa but I ended up doing a non filers form and now when I check it says it doesn't reconized my soc sec number, never had that happen before, I went to Jackson Hewitt today and they said the last time I did taxes was 2017 and did not need to file taxes ever again, so I tried the non filers form and it keeps kicking it back saying maybe its a duplicate acct with same soc, Help? I don't know what to do I am entitled to the ck and stand a chance of losing my first new car ever. Thanks