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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.

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.
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  • 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.

Blessed Mimi
May 29, 2020
I think my stimulus check was stolen, how can I find out if it was cashed?
Ladyindistress
May 29, 2020
I have the same problem said it was mailed out to me on the 04/24 no letter or check now my landlord thinks I'm lying cause some other tenants got their.
Kenthallee1019
May 29, 2020
My stimulus check said it was being mailed out on May 1st to my Address. But I have NOT received anything but a letter saying I got one what do I do if I never received my Stimulus check?
Tonisands
May 29, 2020
I checked Get My Payment status it stated checked mailed May 8th still haven't received letter nor check
Flb
May 29, 2020
I haven't received my check and in the IRS Payment it states it was mailed May 1st and it has my old address. When I moved I did do an address change with the postal service over a year ago. I think it still went to my old apt and maybe they kept it. I've tried emailing the IRS and calling both lines and there is no way to talk to anyone. This is so frustrating! I'm a small independent business that was shut down and just now able to reopen so I had no income!
zsu73
May 29, 2020
My stimulus check was supposed scheduled to be be sent to the address in file in April 24,2020 I never received it and me and my son really need that money where my check at? Please let me know IRS STUFF we are should wait fwo month or we have to report stolen?? I also call IRS but lady can answer ,so I do not understand who can check when or where go my check please?
Leo
May 31, 2020

In reply to by zsu73

Call irs 800 919-9835, they will start a trace for your check.
Sylvestor08
May 30, 2020
I moved at the beginning of may. I changed my address/forwarded my mail through USPS on May 8th when we officially moved and my stimulus check was mailed out on that day as well. I have been in contact with my old landlord and they have not seen my check. How do I know if someone cashed my check and is lying about it's where abouts?
Donna
May 30, 2020
Yes I have not received my stimulus check I was wondering if you could help me out the bank account I had I had to close it I was wondering if you was going to send it in the mail my address is steal the same wondering when it will be here need help asp the web site said you send it on April 15 but I can't get it off that card can y'all help me please thank u
RVA
May 30, 2020
IRS WEBSITE SAYS THAT MY CHECK WAS MAILED OUT ON MAY 1ST AND HERE IT IS MAY 30TH AND I STILL HAVENT GOT MY CHECK. IT WAS MAILED TO THE ADDRESS THEY HAVE ON FILE BUT I HAVENT RECEIVED IT BUT I GOT THE LETTER LAST WEEK WITH NO CHECK .I ALSO HAVE THE USPS INFORMED DELIVERY APP AND I HAVENT SEEN THE CHECK BUT I DID SEE THE 1444 LETTER ON THE INFORMED DELIVERY. WHAT OTHER MEASURES CAN I TAKE TO GET MY CHECK THAT IS SO OVER DUED AND VERY MUCH NEEDED??? PLEASE HELP!!!
Brittani563
May 30, 2020
Hi I'm hoping someone can help me out with some answers I tried to do direct deposit at first then because it was the turbo tax card rejected it I assume I went back on get my payment 2 days later and it said was scheduled check for April 24th me and my friend got on bad terms and I no longer live there and that's the address on file she sent me a picture of my letter she had opened on may 12th and claimed no check yet I don't want to assume anything like that but she put potatoe Salad clumps covering the middle number all I could see was 2 for 2000 and stated I would receive it check/debit card would that be the EIP CARDS they are sending? Everyone else told me I should have got the check first thename letter 2 weeks after receiving stimulus what should I do and is there any way to find out if she cashed my check she has friends that work at Bank of America so stressed and confused and just had my son may6 and no money to my name
Barb2121
May 30, 2020
I got a letter from Donald Trump saying my stimulus check had arrived but I have not received a check
Tweetypreety0812
May 30, 2020
I threw away my stimulus check by accidents. I thought it was a scam how do i get it back
Don't use your…
May 30, 2020
Havent got no check n im disability with child living with me. Ive report two people for fraud and irs . where is my money?
the la kid
May 30, 2020
this government is wack..and not prepared..we are all in the same boat mister president seemed to be more worried about us seeing his letter than paying us..SMH..AND THE INFORMED DELIVERY DOES NOT HELP..IT ONLY TELLS YOU THE DAY BEFORE..IT DOSEN'T TRACK IT.
Joe
May 30, 2020
Someone stole my stimulus check, is there a way to see who cashed it
Patti Myers
May 30, 2020
My check was supposed to have been deposited on April 15th. I checked the information and it was right & I still have not received it. I want to know what's up with it. If you can help please let me know. Thanks!
Frustrated in …
May 30, 2020
I received the letter from Trump but I have yet to receive the stimulus payment. Worse... there is no longer any way to reach the IRS to tell them your payment never arrived. The local NBC station has tried to help me too. Everything, and I mean EVERY CONTACT METHOD simply circles back to the stimulous web site and you can't reach ANYONE. This is a mess.
Sin74
May 30, 2020
My stimulus check was mailed off on the first but mailed to the wrong address i got the letter saying i got my payment but have not received it yet what do i do in this situation
PM
May 30, 2020
Get My Payment said my and my husband's stimulus check (debit card) mailed on 5/22. Husband received his but I have not received mine. Afraid it has been stolen. What direction is out there to in order to trace it? Is that a possibility or are people getting away with stealing the stimulus cards?
NewMexicoLivin
May 30, 2020
Hello so my stimulus was deposited into an old account of mine that i no longer use except for dire emergencys then on top of that the ONLY card i owned for this account had been stolen without me knowing and whoever took it drained my account. They somehow knew some of my info and were able to hit the atm and withdraw cash. Is there anyway that i can receive a replacement at all cause i desperately need it but dont know what to do
Agnesdodd
May 30, 2020
I lost my stimulus check. How do I report the lost. And get it re issued. Cannot get through to the IRS
MZ
May 31, 2020
I called the number Leo graciously provided us, got transferred to an IRS rep. and they were very nice. My check was scheduled to go out May 1st, and since it was only the beginning of the 4th week, they said to wait and call back in one more week whereupon they can actually trace the check, and I suppose resolve the situation with a new check, or locate the lost one. That's reassuring! I asked about stolen checks and she said it did happen, and that there are unscrupulous outlets that really will cash those checks. Still in my case, I doubt that it's a stolen check situation, because any thief would have to be pretty shrewd and take just that check out the mail while leaving the rest, and target my mailbox just that day right after delivery. So I highly suspect instead some snafu in the delivery processing with the IRS/post office nexus.
Lilliank5
May 31, 2020
I'm on SSI and my stimulus money went to a bank account that i don't even have so I didn't get my stimulus money I have a direct express card that it should of went on I want to know if I'm going to get my stimulus money at all
209¿Mama¿Kra
May 31, 2020
I was told that someone tried to use my grandchildren on their Tax return. And thats why I didn't Get their stimulus payment. How can I find out if this is true and what can I do to correct this ?
AK2020
May 31, 2020
My stimulus check was to be mailed May 1st. I never received it. I did receive the follow up letter saying that I should have received the check, but it never came. Do I need to assume that it was stolen. All IRS phone numbers regarding stimulus checks are automated. I need answers!
Dbarr
May 31, 2020
I keep seeing this message and don't know what it mean" we don not have enough information"
jvc5619
May 31, 2020
Never Received my stimulus check this is all I keep saying on my status for the last two months no updates that ever occurred. Payment Status You are eligible for the payment. Once we have your payment date, we will update this page. We will deposit your payment to the bank account below. Bank Account Number: ************4968 Updates to your payment are made no more than once a day. We will mail you a letter with additional information on this payment. If you need additional help, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.
alm2326
May 31, 2020
Get my Payment tool said that I suppose to get my payment with a direct deposit on May 6th and today is May 31st and I haven't received anything. I received a letter a few days ago from the IRS saying that they deposited the money in my account but nothing.
Cherry
May 31, 2020
Me and my husband either... did not yet received the stimulus
laureni1
May 31, 2020
Our plight is the same as many here! Daughter's check says mailed on 4/24. Tomorrow is June 1. No check. No recourse? What if there was theft? I can't believe how there don't seem to be any solutions for us.
Divorced in January
June 01, 2020
Is there anything that can be done for those of us who just got divorced at the beginning of this year, but we're forced to file taxes with our ex spouse jointly for last year's taxes, and it went to her account and she's not giving you any of it? I've looked online, but there is no way I can see to set up an alternate direct deposit for just me.
evelyncru2014
June 01, 2020
My payment stimulo check is send mail to me may 15 I'm the mail Never received
dbar_0ne
June 01, 2020
I received a Informed Delivery email from USPS my mothers stimulus check was being delivered 5/15 and it did not show up. Local Post office is aware as well as mail carrier. NOTHING yet. Today we received the letter saying that check was mailed 2 wks ago. I really think it was stolen. What are my next steps???
eliz_m
June 05, 2020

In reply to by dbar_0ne

Call Bureau of Fiscal Service at 855-868-0151. Choose menu option 1 and then 1 again (you still need to listen to all the options though--takes awhile--just keep pushing 1). You'll get a real person who can check if someone cashed your check. If not, then it might still come (no one cashed mine, but I'm in same position where letter received 2 weeks ago but still no check).
AngryHatter
June 01, 2020
There isnt one word anywhere in cyberworld that touches on the subject of someone stealing the check from your mailbox. Instead, it all brings you here to identity theft. Knowing someone stole the check and was able to deposit that check onto their prepaid debit card isnt identity theft. Its mail theft. How can we get help with this. No answers anywhere anywhere. Ridiculous
Candygurl04
June 01, 2020

In reply to by AngryHatter

Well the bbn only thing about that is,you cant cash a check on your prepaid card if the check does not match account name you cant cash anyones check even if both of you signed it.
Donw't use you…
June 01, 2020
My boyfriend check was mailed to him on may the first told his old address he has been checking every day but no check p put in a change of address with post office will his check come to his new address it's been a month no check yet
Mindylen
June 01, 2020
My 88 year old mother hasn’t received her stimulus check. Website said it was mailed the 15th of May. June 1st and still no check. Is there anything that can be done? She’s on a limited income and could use the 1200.00 . Sucks to think someone may have it stolen from her mailbox.
Pat337
June 01, 2020
The irs check my payment says my stimulus was deposited in my account direct deposit and the last 4 numbers of the account shown is correct but I’ve never received it I called my bank they said nothing was deposited in my account and that everything is fine with my account and no deposit was shown
Gipsonterry289
June 01, 2020
My stimulus check was deposited in a bank account that wasn't mine. The person that has the bank account took my stimulus. What do I do?
Anna
June 01, 2020
I have received 2 letters stating i got my check . The IRS says it was mailed my check May 1 and i check the Usps they emailed me i was going to get my check May 8 .How to report it? IRS don’t let us get through!
ulonda41
June 09, 2020
I haven't received my check yet. It said it was mailed on the 15th of may. I been looking but nothing has come as of yet. Can someone give some updated info on how to contact them about this issue please... Thanks
Maurice sentel…
June 01, 2020
My stimulus payment was scheduled for 4/30/20 and cash app says there is no record of any payment even with all the proof I've provided them with.there isn't anyone to call cash app nor the Irs.I don't know what to do.romors of cash app being hacked has me worried.
helpfromthefamily
June 01, 2020
same here!! The check is sent on May 1 based on the IRS website, but we did not get anything up to today. I used the USPS tracking app but it can only track mails up to May 4. I can not check any time before that. And someone might stole it before May 5. Really struggling out here without the important money.
cartercom738
June 02, 2020
My name is Mary Carter I need to see if someone stole my check I have not got it yet please give me a call at 228
Boman
June 02, 2020
The website says my check/debit card was mailed May 15th. I received the letter from the Whitehouse today (June 1st) but I never received my check/debit card. The phone number on the letter gives no opportunity to report this. What do I do now?