04/10/2020
IMPORTANT!!!!! FAKE STIMULUS CHECKS ARE BEING SENT OUT. DO NOT JUST DEPOSIT A CHECK IF YOU ARE UNSURE OF THE AUTHENTICITY!!! Below is some important information you should know about the payments. Stay safe everyone!!
The Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service will distribute Economic Impact Payments directly into the bank accounts of most Americans. Those who received tax returns through a paper check should expect the stimulus payment to be sent in the same manner.
The IRS will not ask anyone to pay a fee or confirm personal information before receiving the money. Officials say anyone who claims they need personal information, including bank account information, to provide the payments is a scammer.
Checks of unusual amounts (such as $1,322.48) and checks that require verification online or by phone are fraudulent.
Victims should contact the National Center for Disaster Fraud at 866-720-5721 or [email protected].
Other COVID-19 related scams include businesses selling fake cures for the coronavirus online, phishing emails that post as the World Health Organization or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, groups that seek donations for nonexistent charities and malicious websites and apps that lure users with coronavirus information only to gain access to devices.
Tips regarding economic impact payments:
1. No payment or personal information is required to receive a recovery check. The IRS has your tax information and will mail the check directly to you.
2. If you typically do not file a tax return, you will need to file a simple tax return to receive the stimulus. See IRS.gov/coronavirus for more information on filing this return.
3. The IRS will use your tax return for your address and to calculate and send payments. If you filed in 2019, that information will be used. If you have not filed your 2019 return yet, 2018 filing information will be used.
4. No one will call or email you from the government regarding your check. If you get a text, phone call, or email asking you for your personal information, do not respond.
5. Be sure you are eligible. Tax filers who have adjusted gross income levels of $75,000 for individuals and $150,000 for couples will receive full payment. Payment is reduced by $5 for each $100 above that threshold. Individuals with income above $99,000 or couples above $198,000 with no children are not eligible.
6. Reach out. If anyone contacts you to get your personal information, then tries to keep you on the phone or rush you to a decision, hang up. Ask someone you trust, like a family member or financial advisor [bbb.org], for advice.
For more information:
• Check IRS.gov/coronavirus for the most recently updated information.
• See BBB.org/coronavirus for recent scam information and consumer tips.
• See BBB.org/COVID and BBB.org/smallbusiness for information to help business owners.
We are offering help for taxpayers, businesses, tax-exempt organizations and others – including health plans – affected by coronavirus (COVID-19).
