You’ve probably heard the news by now – the government is sending out relief checks as part of the federal response to the Coronavirus. Scammers heard the same thing, and they’re hoping to cash in on yours.
The details of how this will all work are still coming together, but we do know a few things about how this will – and will not – work. For now, here are some things to know.
- You don’t need to do anything. As long as you filed taxes for 2018 and/or 2019, the federal government likely has the information it needs to send you your money. Social Security recipients and railroad retirees who are otherwise not required to file a tax return also do not need to do anything to receive their money. If you otherwise have not filed taxes recently, you may need to submit a simple tax return to get your check. (More on who’s eligible here.)
- Do not give anyone your personal information to “sign-up” for your relief check. There is nothing to sign up for. Anyone calling to ask for your personal information, like your Social Security number, PayPal account, or bank information is a scammer, plain and simple. Also be on the lookout for email phishing scams, where scammers pretend to be from the government and ask for your information as part of the “sign-up” process for the checks.
- To set up direct deposit of your check, communicate only with the IRS at irs.gov/coronavirus. And you only need to do this if you didn’t give the IRS your bank information on your 2018 or 2019 return. In the coming weeks, the IRS will be setting up an online form available through irs.gov/coronavirus. But nowhere else, and never in response to an email, text, or call.
- No one has early access to this money. Anyone that claims to is a scammer. The timeline for this process is not exact, but it looks like funds will start going out in the next few weeks. Scammers are using the lack of detail to try to trick people into giving their personal information and money.
To get official updates and more information, visit the IRS’s page on economic impact payments. And if you come across a scammer trying to take your check, we want to hear about it. Report it at ftc.gov/complaint.
Updated 4/2/20 with new information on filing taxes
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In reply to my husband and I have a by Ronnie Mira
If you're elegible to get the stimulus and the money is sent to an accoutn that has been closed, the IRS will send you a paper check to their last known address for you. Check at www.irs.gov/coronavirus the status of your check.
In reply to I do not have a bank account. by Robert
In reply to It's not showing me how to by Don't use youm…
Please go to the IRS page about economic impact payments for official updates and more information.
In reply to solo llego a mi esposa 1700 by victor
In reply to I’m a retired senior now by CastOff
Please go to the IRS page on economic impact payments for official updates and more information. There are questions and answers on that page.
In reply to I’m a retired senior now by CastOff
In reply to Nada quería saber cuando van by Jazmillan07
In reply to Nada quería saber cuando van by Jazmillan07
In reply to If you received a refund in by jaybird
In reply to Will the government mail by PED
In reply to Will the government mail by PED
In reply to We heard from our family by S085343
That sounds like a scam. Don't give your information to anyone who says you have to sign up for your payment. There is nothing to sign up for. No one can help you get early access to the money.
The IRS says that people who get Social Security and railroad retirees who are otherwise not required to file a tax return are eligible for a payment. They will not be required to file a tax return. Read more at the IRS website about economic impact payments.
In reply to What if the IRS sent your tax by Jess1213
Please go to the IRS page about economic impact payments for official updates and information about how to give bank information to the IRS.
In reply to Please go to the IRS page by FTC Staff
In reply to When are we supposed to get by conductman
In reply to Will our stimulus payment go by nickkie