Are you a United States citizen living abroad? For millions of expatriates, help from home is on the way in the form of COVID-19 economic impact payments. Unfortunately, scammers also are on the way, and they’re eager to pluck the payment from your pocket.
Depending on your income, U.S. expatriates can get up to $1,200 each, or up to $2,400 for couples, plus $500 for each qualifying child, just as you would if living stateside. And, most people don’t need to do anything to get their payments. The IRS will deposit your payment directly to your U.S. bank account (the IRS can’t direct deposit money to a foreign account), or mail your payment using information from your 2018 or 2019 tax return or from your Social Security retirement or other federal benefits program.
If you haven’t filed a federal tax return for 2018 or 2019 and don’t get any federal benefits, you may have to give the IRS sensitive information, including your Social Security number and bank account number (if you have one), to get your payment.
Scammers will try to take advantage of this to try to steal your money, your personal information, or both. So, to help avoid scammers, use only irs.gov/coronavirus and the tools there to submit sensitive information to the IRS. Use the IRS’s guide to figure out which IRS tool to use. And, visit the IRS’s Economic Impact Payment Center for answers to common questions. Consider talking with a tax professional if your tax filing situation is complex.
With economic impact money flowing in, and many people confused about the distribution process, this is a time to stay on high alert for scammers. Here are some things that ONLY scammers will do:
- Call, email, or text you to ask for, or “verify,” your personal or financial information. The IRS won’t contact you by phone, email, text, or social media about your payment.
- Ask you to pay a transfer or other fee to get your stimulus money. There are no fees.
- Send you a very real-looking check for more than you’re expecting, then tell you to deposit it, take your proper payment, and return the “overpayment” by sending cash, gift cards, or money transfers. A bank may be fooled and cash the check, but when it turns out to be fraudulent – which it will – you will owe the bank any money that you withdrew.
Learn more about avoiding economic impact payment scams here. And, if you spot a scam, please tell us about it at ftc.gov/complaint.
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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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In reply to Hi how will I know if I am by DonnaMarie1212
When you get alerts about your bank account, contact the bank, but look up the number or email yourself. Don't click "reply" or answer the email alert you got, in case it's from a scammer trying to get your information.
You can check the status of your payment on the IRS website at irs.gov/coronavirus/get-my-payment.
In reply to Hi how will I know if I am by DonnaMarie1212
In reply to I tried to enter my direct by Sensurfer
In reply to I live in Bze. I receive SS by Foreign gial
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In reply to Thank you for this by PhDinUK
The IRS has questions and answers at Get My Payment Frequently Asked Questions. There are a couple questions at the bottom of the page about Error Messages and Change of Address. Perhaps those will help.
In reply to The IRS has questions and by FTC Staff
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In reply to The IRS has questions and by FTC Staff
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In reply to I have the exact same problem by SamInFrance
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In reply to Thank you for this by PhDinUK
In reply to Thank you for this by PhDinUK
In reply to How do I report my stimulus by M.Mathews3
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 Hi Seena, by JME
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In reply to How should I enter a Japanese by Japanlad
The IRS has questions and answers at Get My Payment Frequently Asked Questions. There are a couple questions at the bottom of the page about Error Messages and Change of Address. Perhaps those will help.
In reply to The IRS has questions and by FTC Staff
In reply to Reply to FTC: This link you by expatitalia
The IRS, not the FTC, manages the economic impact payments and the system through which you provide personal information.
Please check IRS resources and updates.
In reply to The IRS has questions and by FTC Staff
In reply to Unfortunately, the vast by Curt S.
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In reply to I am a US citizen living in by TalaPup
The IRS has questions and answers at Get My Payment Frequently Asked Questions.
Look at the questions and answers under "Accessing My Payment." There is information for people who get a SSA-1099 and don't file a tax return.
In reply to I am a US citizen living in by TalaPup
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