Consumer Alert
Coronavirus stimulus payment scams: What you need to know
We know there’s been a flood of information and updates about the government’s economic impact payments, or so-called stimulus checks, lately. But quickly and safely moving massive amounts of money into the hands of those who need it is a big job with a lot of moving parts.
We also know that the more you know about the process, the less likely you’re going to be tripped up by calls, text messages, or emails from scammers trying to steal your money or personal information.
Here’s what you need to know about the stimulus payments and how to avoid scams related to these payments.
Who will get money?
Adult U.S. residents that meet established income limits are eligible to receive money from the government. This includes:
Taxpayers – people who filed a federal tax return for 2018 or 2019.
Retirees – people who get Social Security, Railroad, or other retirement benefits.
Beneficiaries – people who get public benefits like SSDI, disability, or veterans’ benefits.
Non-filers – people who do not have to file a federal tax return, including people who made no income or made less than $12,200 (or $24,400 for married couples).
If you get Social Security or Railroad Retirement benefits, have a qualifying child, and didn’t file a return in 2018 or 2019, you have to take action by noon ET on Wednesday, April 22 to add the $500 per eligible child to your payment. See details from the IRS.
What to do
Most people don’t have to do anything to get their money because the IRS will use the same payment method – direct deposit, Direct Express debit card, or paper check – used to send you your tax refund, Social Security, retirement, or other government benefits money. If the IRS doesn’t have your direct deposit information, you can go to the “Get My Payment” feature at irs.gov/coronavirus and let them know where to send your direct deposit.
If you don’t usually file a tax return, go to irs.gov/coronavirus to access the “Non-filer” portal and to figure out what, if anything, you have to do to claim your money.
To check on the status of your payment, you can now use the “Get My Payment” feature at irs.gov/coronavirus.
Avoiding Coronavirus stimulus payment scams
Scammers are using these stimulus payments to try to rip people off. They might try to get you to pay a fee to get your stimulus payment. Or they might try to convince you to give them your Social Security number, bank account, or government benefits debit card account number.
4 tips for avoiding a Coronavirus stimulus payment scam
- Only use irs.gov/coronavirus to submit information to the IRS – and never in response to a call, text, or email.
- The IRS won’t contact you by phone, email, text message, or social media with information about your stimulus payment, or to ask you for your Social Security number, bank account, or government benefits debit card account number. Anyone who does is a scammer phishing for your information.
- You don’t have to pay to get your stimulus money.
- The IRS won’t tell you to deposit your stimulus check then send them money back because they paid you more than they owed you. That’s a fake check scam.
Report scams to the Federal Trade Commission at ftc.gov/complaint.
To keep up with the latest scams, sign up for the FTC's consumer alerts.
Watch these videos for more tips on how to avoid ecomonic impact payment scams:
(This post is part of the FTC's imposter scam series.)
Updated April 21, 2020 with new deadline for some benefit recipients.
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In reply to After putting in 0 and 0, and by Angry American
In reply to I went to my previous address by Octavia Mullins
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.
In reply to I went to my previous address by Octavia Mullins
In reply to I went to my previous address by Octavia Mullins
In reply to I'm trying to add my by Loujohn1
If you get VA benefits and you have qualifying children under age 17, and you didn’t file a tax return in 2018 or 2019, you must fill out a non-filer form before noon on May 5 to get the $500 payment for dependents.
Go to the non-filers form on the IRS website.
In reply to Someone has stolen my check by Smelton41
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 " someoneclaimed 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.
In reply to Someone has stolen my check by Smelton41
In reply to Someone has stolen my check by Smelton41
In reply to Someone has stolen my check by Smelton41
In reply to How did you know they tried by lawoo
In reply to Mine said it was mailed on by Hodge20
In reply to I tried to file for the by ken sewell
Report identity theft at www.IdentityTheft.gov. That's a federal government website where you report to the IRS and FTC at the same time.
IdentityTheft.gov will ask you questions so it can fill out an IRS Identity Theft Affidavit (IRS Form 14039). The system will submit the Affidavit directly to the IRS. You can include a personal statement to give the IRS details about how your child's identity was misused to claim the economic impact payment.
You can save a copy of your completed Affidavit to your computer. IdentityTheft.gov will create a checklist of steps you can take to help protect your child from further identity theft. This FTC article has more about child identity theft.