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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

  1. Only use irs.gov/coronavirus to submit information to the IRS – and never in response to a call, text, or email.
  2. 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.
  3. You don’t have to pay to get your stimulus money.
  4. 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:

FTC tips to avoid economic 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.

It is your choice whether to submit a comment. If you do, you must create a user name, or we will not post your comment. The Federal Trade Commission Act authorizes this information collection for purposes of managing online comments. Comments and user names are part of the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) public records system, and user names also are part of the FTC’s computer user records system. We may routinely use these records as described in the FTC’s Privacy Act system notices. For more information on how the FTC handles information that we collect, please read our privacy policy.

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.

  • We won’t post off-topic comments, repeated identical comments, or comments that include sales pitches or promotions.
  • We won’t post comments that include vulgar messages, personal attacks by name, or offensive terms that target specific people or groups.
  • We won’t post threats, defamatory statements, or suggestions or encouragement of illegal activity.
  • 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.

charwill709
May 08, 2020
Hello in the get my payment tool I have a direct deposit date of 4/15/20 to my account that I recieved my refund to but my stimulus money has not yet been deposited there? Called bank they have no notification of a deposit. what do I do?
dardarmack
May 08, 2020
I have identity theft someone has been filing taxes in my name and I keep trying to open an account with irs and can’t because I don’t know the address that the person who stole my information what do I do I sent in a paper return but I have heard that they are not accepting them I need help please
FTC Staff
May 08, 2020

In reply to by dardarmack

You can report tax identity theft at www.IdentityTheft.gov.  Your report will go to the IRS and FTC. You can file the report even if you don't know the address of the person who stole your information. Fill out as much information as you know.

 

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 identity was misused.

 

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 from further identity theft. This FTC article has more about tax identity theft.

Doglance
May 08, 2020
If my husband doesn't have a bank acct in his name when we file for the stimulus check can I use my bank information or no?
deborah
May 08, 2020
I was sent a letter claiming my stimulus check was taken for child support and I have never owed child support in my life.Im on SSI and severely disabled and can't get help anywhere.
FTC Staff
May 08, 2020

In reply to by deborah

Did the letter come from the IRS, or from an agency in your state? It's important to know if the letter is legitimate. 

If you think the letter is legitimate, it might mean someone mis-used your Social Security number. They committed identity theft. You can call 888-400-5530. That's the Identity Theft Resource Center. 

Bdefranco
May 08, 2020
I have been unsuccessful for over 2 weeks to enter my direct deposit info. I enter 2018 and then 2019 tax info but both kick out. I go by tax form and get message it doesn’t match their records. This is a total mess!
Teddygirl
May 08, 2020
My status says mailed out on 4/24/20 and I still have not received it and
Traductrice1111
May 10, 2020

In reply to by Teddygirl

Same here! It says "scheduled to be mailed out on 4/24/2020", and still nothing!
Scarlett
May 08, 2020
My ex got stimulus money for our daughter and she is under my care. He will not return the money. He claimed her I the taxes when I was supposed to. What can be done to get this changed ?
dd
May 08, 2020
The get my payment states , we schedule a payment on April 30th to with last 4 of my acct number; and still states the same. However, even as of today and checking with my bank this morning there is nothing and not even an attempt for deposit. Where is the payment the letter states the same. It seems many are having the same issues as myself, from from 4/20 and 4/30; what is the issue and who can we contact for immediate financial relief.?
Jason
May 08, 2020
Someone submitted fake account information and stole our stimulus check I believe they must have filed our taxes and put an account on there to have it direct deposited to them and not us
FTC Staff
May 15, 2020

In reply to by Jason

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.

WayTru
May 08, 2020
I set ip direct deposit with Netspend. The IRS get my money website sais it was deposited on Apr 30 but it never showed up in my account. I still have not been able to get a reply from Netspend.
Tawana
May 12, 2020

In reply to by WayTru

Ive also received the date of April 29 2020 i have netspend also no deposit has been made and no pending transaction todays date is may 12 2020 i want to know why also
Rp411
May 08, 2020
I received ssa and my son in law used my address to get his stimulus check in the mail an I get my ssa direct deposit I receive a ssa form in January but I have not received my stimulus check I don't have dependent I'm all alone when or how or what do I need to do to get my stimulus check
YoshiMocha
May 08, 2020
My payment was to be sent out May 1st. Today is the 8th, I am hoping it was'nt stolen cause it is paper check through the mail. What can I do if it is stolen?
CEEZBEEZ
May 09, 2020
I can see my payment was scheduled to be mailed on May 1st but i haven’t received the payment could it be stolen and someone is holding on to it ? Is this just a glitch in the system ? How do I find out what happened to my check?
rook
May 09, 2020
I received a stimulus check in someone else's name at my HOME address. That name has never ever been associated with my home address ever. How should I proceed? I've tried contacting IRS by phone, with no luck trying to speak to a live person.
MicheleM
May 09, 2020
I have been checking everyday! All I get is "Our records don't match" There is no response to this message on the frequently asked questions page on Get My Stimulus site. What records don't match if we have filed and taxes were accepted? We got a small refund that we rolled over so yes refund but $0 returned.
Jackieg1972
May 09, 2020
Jackie Gipson.i havent got my stimulus check.it went to someone else bank account and its different email.when i check it the money came on April 15.but i didn't get it.im still trying to update my info but it want let me.i dont know what to do
PerezJason92
May 09, 2020
I haven't received either my taxes or Stimulus and it says it was Deposited on April 30th 2020 today is May 9th, don’t understand and I cant call no one who would answer my questions.
Chad
May 09, 2020
I was supposed to get my payment on the 30th of April i still haven't gotten it
J.C
May 10, 2020
Hello I'm on SS1 & receive my monthly benefits through Direct Express Card. When I check my Stimulus payment Status on IRS website it says My Stimulus payment was scheduled to be deposited on April 29 , been checking my Direct Express Card every day it's now May 10 & still nothing I call Direct Express they are saying that they don't see my Stimulus payment pending what can I do . Why is IRS saying they deposited it on April 29 but not there was never there ..I don't have any other bank account I been receiving my SSI benefits for 7 years through Direct Express without any issues until now .. PLEASE ANYONE From IRS / Treasury please respond is this a common issue or did my payment go somewhere else there is no way for me to know what my Direct Express account / routing number is . I wish there was so I can compare it to the number That IRS is saying my Stimulus payment was deposited to April 29 . Please help .
mommymymy
May 10, 2020
I went to cash my check says I can’t due to wrong information what do I do?
Jbkazzz
May 10, 2020
Wheres my stimulus is telling me my stimulus was sent to my account on 4/30/2020 and as of today I still dont see anything I'm worried that somehow it went to someone else's account but you cant talk to know one so someone please help
Jbkazzz
May 10, 2020
The wheres my stimulus site is saying it was sent to my account on 4/30/2020 with the last for didgets of my direct deposit account number and they are right but still nothing in my account what should I do have I been ripped off or what please help
Flaco48ful
May 10, 2020
How long does it take if it was mailed may 1st ..please answer ?
Traductrice1111
May 10, 2020
The IRS need to add a Portal for people who have waited for the checks and did not receive anything in the mail after the 2 weeks wait period since they are not answering phone calls and since there are a lot of scams out there. Landlords and property managers who have access to the residents / tenants' mail have been confiscating IRS stimulus checks in order to punish tenants for non-payment of rent due to the lockdown and moratorium orders.
Jojo123
August 19, 2020

In reply to by Traductrice1111

I still haven't gotten a stimulus check after all this time. I don't know if it was sent out or not. The irs site always says no information
Kraziloca
May 10, 2020
I need help. Honestly i dont know where to go or where to start. Im on ssdi, i filed a nonfiler through irs before i found out i didnt need to. Okay so i had been trying to figure why everyone that gets the same benefits as i do have already received theirs. So i checked get my payment, first couple of weeks it would tell me payment was unavail. Just last week i checked and now it says they need more info and i was not eligible. So i went to the file and found out the mistake. I guess i read it too fast and thought it said to check mark if i claim myself as a dependant but realized i shouldnt had marked it at all cause it says someone else claims me. And i went in to update, but id have to delete that one and start a new one. Once completed it said that it was not going to be filed. And with irs not accepting calls and ssa doesnt have info for the payments. I dont know what to do.
Shawnlf
May 10, 2020
I went on the Irs website and updated all of my information to get my stimulus check, I was approved, several days later I was given a date of April 30th for it to be deposited into my account.. I did not receive anything, my girlfriend got hers on April 30th like the app told her, I check the irs and the info and it seems they had the wrong bank account by 1 number, example was like 123456 and mine was 132456 the numbers swapped around. I contacted the bank but nothing and they cant find it, ive checked the irs website everyday since the 30th its now may 10th, I haven't received a letter in the mail or any update on the site it still says, we scheduled your payment to be deposited in to account ************1234 I wish it showed me the beginning numbers so I can call my bank and figure it out. My bank stated when they send out a direct deposit stimulus to for say to me Shawn and I gave them an account number and it doesn't match my name, the bank will decline the check and send it back, then the irs will issue a paper check instead. Idk though because irs hasn't updated the site which they state they do daily at night time, Im so lost, so many bills, and no time frame or update.
Vanerodrigo
May 10, 2020
I checked my I.R.S payment & seen mine was being mailed out over 2 weeks ago but I got a text saying I won’t be receiving my economic check today.
renew22
May 11, 2020
Through get my payment. It says a direct deposit will be deposited to my account on April 29. No deposit has been made. Account number is correct. Website also says a letter will be made with more i,go on payment...???No letter has come and why would irs say a deposit will be made and not make a deposit with some letter thAt hopefully tells the real story.
Lady.bella
May 11, 2020
Get my payment tool says im eligible and also has had my bank information since april 25th.. Why am i not getting a date??? This is weird!
Pablo?
May 11, 2020
Scheduled payment Apr. 29 to my acct. So why havent I got paid yet?
KyleK
May 11, 2020
I have tried many times to see the status. I put in all of my correct information and it says " your social security does not match our records ". I file my taxes on time for years now and I always get a refund. Why does it say I do not MATCH it makes me nervous . I have been looking online for hours to find out about this.
terryalexander…
May 11, 2020
I was supposed to receive my stimulus direct deposit on April 30 still nothing what's going on
Ashley Mom
May 11, 2020
What about if we think someone has taken our stimulus and cashed it. Whom do we contact because the letter we received, that was to follow the check, made it to our home with an IRS phone # does no good either! No sign of the check. And no sign of help coming from the IRS either!?!
Oreo99
May 11, 2020
The IRS said I was accepted fory stimulus check bud they give me a submission vid number what does that mean
Latoria Butler
May 11, 2020
I checked my date it said the 30th it was deposited and I still didn't receive it and how would I report my daughter information stolen
Juanita1979
May 11, 2020
I have a question what can I do about my husband and myself filed jointly on the stimulus payment tool and it said our check was deposited on April 30 in an account ending in 4711 and we don't have a bank account at all except the Direct Express Card that we get our ssi checks on and the IRS portal wont let you change anything even if it is wrong and we don't know what to do because we don't have no bank period
dee
May 11, 2020
Someone filed my kids last year without my permission .. i sent the Identity theft paperwork in to the irs will the people who filed my kids get me and their check ?
JennaJamison545
May 11, 2020
Has anyone using GET MY PAYMENT ...recieved the message "payment status not available..We do not have enough information ( we are working on this) or you are not eligible. Check back" ... bla se bla..my friend got her stimulous in Aprril and her payment status said, "payment status not available" we are processing your info and determining eligibility" or something close to that...but it didnt go into more depth like my status says.....is this the new irs message for the time they take to process your info..before you get the messages with your deposit date etc...???
Alex colon
May 12, 2020
I got excepted under non filers, but when i go too check my status its say No return with this Social Security Number has been transmitted from this account. And everything is correcti did not have a direct deposit card, but I used my girlfriends card that she got her stimulus on..do you think that is the problem
TBS
May 12, 2020
Just received my paper check in the mail yesterday. Set it on my dashboard while I unloaded groceries and when I came back it was stolen. Why would someone steal my paper check addressed to me? How do I get the irs to cancel the check? Why didn't they send me direct deposit? They have my bank info. Can the thief cash my check?
FTC Staff
May 15, 2020

In reply to by TBS

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.

Elenor
May 12, 2020
I filed my taxes in January this year as head of household single with 1 dependent, but they sent my stimulus check to my ex husband. How do I go about getting my portion of the stimulus check if I cant reach him. Why would they send him the money for me and my son when we live in a different state and did not file taxes together this year?
still waiting
May 12, 2020
The IRS website says our check was deposited over a month ago and our bank still says they have not gotten it. We have direct deposit and the IRS identified the correct info. There is no help from anyone anywhere in finding what happened or what to do! We have heard there are others! Where is our check?
Patricia Gibso…
May 12, 2020
I am trying to find out about my stemless check I have not received one and I get disability Social Security