Skip to main content

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.

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.

betsywalter1
May 06, 2020

In reply to by walkabout

I am in exactly the same situation, walkabout. It's unclear to me if Citibank Europe Fed Reserve will be depositing the stimulus payment into my Australian account. Did not appear with last SS payment. If you receive your payment, would you post on this site to that effect? I will do the same.
Matt
May 03, 2020
Are you ever going to fix the “Check on the status of your Economic Impact Payment” site for US citizens with foreign addresses? And please don’t post a copy and paste response for me to check the FAQ. Just tell us that you are doing something about it. And if you aren’t doing something about it, tell us that as well so we can stop wasting our time.
FTC Staff
May 04, 2020

In reply to by Matt

The IRS, not the FTC, manages the site you're asking about.

Please check the IRS site for changes.

Matt
May 05, 2020

In reply to by FTC Staff

The FTC is seemingly the only part of the government that is answering any questions directly about this specific topic. I can’t contact the IRS. Nobody can contact them. If I could, I would. If you could give me a phone number where I could directly call someone at the IRS, I would definitely call them (instead of trying to get help in an FTC article comments section).
LautuLoman
May 04, 2020
Hello! I am unable to access the “Get my payment” nor am I able to create my account in the IRS. I filed taxes for this year and live abroad. I really do need the economic assistance via the stimulus checks as I am pregnant. To whom might I address these problems? I have a foreign address but just recently moved and don’t want a check mailed to where I live as the mail system here is not reliable. Thank you for any assistance you might give.
Jorod328
May 04, 2020
Good morning — this is the third time I am trying to have my question posted and answered and have had no response ... I currently live in Costa Rica , I receive my social security disability (SSD) by direct deposits... my two children also receive benefits through me through direct deposit here in Costa Rica — I have been trying to fill out the non- filers form for my children but in order to sign up, they won’t accept my Phone number .. so it won’t allow me to enter any information .. and it won’t give me any information on MY PAYMENT EITHER .. please let me know if there is someone I can talk to or write to to be able to resolve this .. or your response here would be greatly appreciated .. thank you — ( I have read the above responses , gone to the social security page and read the charts and have tried to fill out the forms but no luck ) please help — thanks — stay safe !
mark. b.
July 20, 2021

In reply to by Jorod328

exact same problem - - i live in costa rica also - and none of their online forms will work as their system will not accept out local 8 didgett phone numbers!!
Happy Nana
May 21, 2020
I am totally confused now. I am an American Citizen living in Canada with my Canadian husband. I am a senior citizen and don't make enough to file taxes anymore. Everything that I read till I read this page said if receiving Social Security, I wouldn't have to fill anything out, the stimulus check would be direct deposited into the same account as my Social Security Check. Is this correct or do I have to do something now? Any info would be appreciated, Happy Nana
FTC Staff
May 21, 2020

In reply to by Happy Nana

The IRS says that people who get Social Security retirement benefits and who don't usually need to file taxes don't need to do take any action. The IRS will use the information on the Form SSA-1099 and send you a payment $1,200. Look at Question #4 on this page of the IRS site.

bzguy
May 05, 2020
I am an expat receiving Social Security direct deposit to my local Belize bank. I have been told that they will not send the $1,200 payment to banks outside the US. Is this true? Doesn't make sense that they'd not make payment to a bank they have been paying for years. Can anyone clear this up for me, need to eat! Thanks, bzguy
schrijnery
May 06, 2020
I received an economic impact payment check via mail in germany yesterday. Can you tell me how and where i can cash it or get the money transfered to my bank account? I already talked to my bank here and even to the german federal bank, but all they say is they dont accept foreign checks and i should ask the money to be transfered to my bank account. But i guess it's to late now to the "get my paymentc website?
frustratedNL
May 11, 2020

In reply to by schrijnery

Same here, except in Netherlands. I have received the check but can't cash it anywhere or deposit it into my Dutch bank account. What can I do? Can the consulate help cash checks? Can family members cash my check into their bank account in USA?
Wondering
July 04, 2020

In reply to by frustratedNL

Hi, have you cashed you check in Netherlands? If so, please share the way
Earl
August 26, 2020

In reply to by frustratedNL

Also retired living in NL long time and no US bank anymore. Has anyone found a bank that will accept the check?
Lulu
May 11, 2020

In reply to by schrijnery

If you have a mobile banking App for your American bank account you should be able to deposit that way.
stimcheck
May 27, 2020

In reply to by schrijnery

Great to hear that you received your check. I live in South Korea and the IRS website says that it mailed it out on April 24th and still nothing for me. How long did it take for you to receive the check?
Katy
May 06, 2020
Hello I am a german widow of a deceased American soldier and I am receiving benefits from VA. I always lived in Germany and I never had to make tax in the US. I have a military ID card and an own SSN on it. Am I eligible for this payment? I guess not because I am not a US citizen, even I receive benefits and have my own SSN what usually qualifies you for it. What do you think?
CGriswald309B
May 06, 2020
I am a US citizen living in Belarus and like so many others here I am not able to use the Get My Payment app. It's quite frustrating.
Prasan
May 06, 2020
I and my wife are naturalized US citizens living in Thailand. We have been social security benefit recipients since 2017. And we filed joint income tax return every year (including 2018 and 2019.) Without income tax refund in our filing, entering the bank info for Direct Deposit was NOT available to us. My understanding is... the IRS will mail the Economic Impact Payment (EIP) money to us instead of the direct deposit. I am concerned about sending large sum of money ($2,400) oversea, especially to Thailand (notorious for mail scam!) My question is... Why can't the government send the EIP money to us via direct deposit using the direct deposit info from the Social Security Administration (SSA). Note: We receive social security benefits from the SSA every month via direct deposit.
Al
May 06, 2020
I also join all overseas citizens here, who can't access -Get my payment status- on the IRS website. I already checked the FAQ and tried all Mailing addresses possible including the USPS ZIP CODE TOOL.....with no Success for 2 consecutive days of website lockdown on me due to 3 errors each time within 24 hrs ! Please help us resolve this issue urgently & effectively . Thank you !
NguyenSo
May 06, 2020
Hi, I could not fill in information for Banking Information on the Non-Filers: Enter Payment Info form. It accepts digits only for routing and account number. Australia banks use different routing code. Thanks
Akk.Ekk05062020
May 21, 2020
My daughter was born and raised in US. She has been living in Greece since 1996. She has one child who is an American citizen as well. She is married to a Greek citizen. She has never filed taxes in US. Is she entitled to the Stimulus Payment? Thank you for your anticipated response.
Frustrated in Kenya
May 07, 2020
Same issue of not being able to verify identity due to foreign address. Just for your info fellow expats, check the USPS website for countries they are not delivering mail to due to covid lockdown.
John C
May 07, 2020
I am currently living in Italy and filed for back taxes in March for 2017, 2018 and 2019. The address used to file was my current address in Italy. When I enter my SSN, birthday and current address into the IRS Get My Payment website, the site claims that my information is not on file. I've been a tax paying citizen for decades. How can my information possibly not be on file?
Louie
May 07, 2020
Have been entering my foreign address in for nearly a month now and it finally worked today! Didn't do anything different. Foreign address in Canada (6 digit alpha numeric postal code). I finally thought to use my VPN to appear as if I was in the US which I thought was maybe an issue, but tried again from Canada and all was good. Appears something might have been fixed... Not sure what changed but got a message stating mine was mailed out May 1 to my most recent address. Still frustrating that I couldn't update with my US banking for direct deposit. I am sort of wondering if my 2019 taxes got processed and that was a sticking point? I submitted them in early March, but who knows....
Mahesh
May 07, 2020
Hello, I am an overseas US Citizen and I file my returns every year with the last one being for 2018. I have not received my "Economic Impact Payment" yet. When I visit the IRS website to check my payment status, I get a message "Payment Status Not Available". 1. What can I do in this situation? How can I ensure that IRS hasn't missed out my name for EIP payment? 2. IRS does not provide helpline phone number to inquire on this 3. I don't think I had a refund situation in the past, so I may not have provided bank information. I have checked my past returns. In this case, should I submit bank info with a separate form in order to get the EIP? Any help will be greatly appreciated. -- With Regards Mahesh
mimishyu
May 07, 2020
I’m US citizen living in Taiwan ROC for more than 25 years ,I’m 28 and have no formal job up until now so didn‘t filed any tax return in US as well as in Taiwan,as I google on the Clovis information it seems I’m eligible for the subsidy 1200$, I just don’t know where to file my personal payment info, could someone direct me the correct path to process,thank you
ragz
May 08, 2020
Hi, I'm a college student studying outside the United States, and I have never filed taxes before. As per the form on the IRS website for non filers, it required me to provide a cell phone number, and didn't provide an option for the country code. Since I do not have a cell phone number in the United States, is there anyone who can help me out, as to what I am supposed to do regarding this?
Rena
May 08, 2020

In reply to by ragz

I am worried it's too late now but go to the non filers area of it's and you can fill out the paper work there and your direct deposit info.
colombia expat
May 08, 2020
I have the exact same problem as others. I live in Colombia and am a freelancer. I file US tax returns every year and have never included my bank info on my returns because I always owe taxes. When I try to log into the Get My Payment portal, it doesn't recognize my Colombian address. This means that the IRS will likely mail me a check to my Colombian address, and I can promise you that IT WILL NEVER ARRIVE. The snail mail service in Colombia (as in many other Latin American countries) just does not work, period. And even if I do miraculously get the check, how am I supposed to deposit it into a foreign bank? I really hope the IRS will address this issue soon so we expats can get the stimulus payment we all deserve. I faithfully pay US taxes even though I have lived abroad for over a decade--and this is how we are thanked in return!
Gaucho
May 08, 2020
I am a US citizen living in South Africa. I get my monthly SS payment by direct deposit in my local bank. I do not file tax returns and receive 1099 forms showing my annual income under $10 000. Two days ago I received my monthly deposit but nothing from the IRS. If the IRS does not recognize foreign bank accounts, can I change the banking details to my US account for the stimulus payment only without affecting the monthly SS deposit to the local bank?
Tuki
October 22, 2021

In reply to by Gaucho

Hi. I am also an SS beneficiary living in SA receiving my benefit through Capitec Bank. I got my 1st & 2nd stimulus and still have received my third stimulus even though it was sent of April 23rd. I failed to cash my checks with my Capitec bank and tried all banks without success. But finally and luckily got to FNB force and they cashed the checks within two weeks but you have to open an account with them. There are charges but they are not to bad compared to current exchange rates at any time. I paid R260 deducted for each transaction and got the lowest rate for the day they cashed the checks. This does impact SS as it is outside SS and deals with IRS only. Did you receive your third stimulus? Mine was sent 23rd Apdil and I am still waiting for it. What do I do to get It?
CALLEN
May 08, 2020
I’m confused as most banks here will not honor overseas checks. I kept trying to log in to put in direct deposit information and wasn’t able until today May 8th only to be greeted by a message that they mailed a check on the 24th of April. I hope it gets here but honestly to cash the check it may cost about 1/3rd of the check.
ESP
May 08, 2020
We have not had tax refunds in the past so our bank details are not on our tax profile. The only address listed is the overseas address but the challenge here is that the postal system is dysfunctional and people often go through our mail. Is there a way to provide you with or US mailing address?
l021820
May 08, 2020
I am a US citizen who lives abroad. I filled 2018 & 2019 tax, no direct deposit information, and I couldn't login Get My Payment with my Chinese Address Information. Will I get my stimulus check by international airmail? Please advise, thank you.
Dora
May 11, 2020

In reply to by l021820

I had the same problem with logging in the exact address. But this morning, I tried again and logged in successfully! It showed my check was scheduled on May 1st. The address I entered today was the same as on the last page of my recent tax return. Good luck!
Charles Roth
May 08, 2020
The IRS says they mailed me my check, but I live in a place where there is no mail service. The IRS has my bank info from my 2018 return, but didn't use it for some reason. I don't know of a way of contacting the IRS to find out how to get my check. Any ideas?
Rena
May 08, 2020
Good morning, On April 10 I went to the non filers to fill out for me and my 3 kids. As I am on SSDI (SINCE 2001) I don't file taxes , it said accepted, then checking status said deposit April 29th. Yet nothing there. No letter (have a pobox in the states ) nothing no update. It's now may 9th and still no contact. I can't call them because no one is working, can't email , there is no email , no chat service ...I am a single mother ,I have no outside support, no family , no child support, I can't work. Any suggestions of what I can do to track down my stimulus check would be greatly appreciated Rena
JoseHerrera1
May 09, 2020
I'm a US citizen living abroad. The relatives I was living with, received my stimulus check at home. I don't have a bank account yet, but how can I cash it? Or transfer it to a bank account? Thank you!
GAB
May 09, 2020
I am a US citizen living abroad and I receive my social security benefits by direct deposit.I still haven't received my stimulus check. Does irs send payment to foreign bank account
Nico
May 09, 2020
Hi, I filed 2019 tax with foreign address. Will IRS send check to my address in overseas?
Angeline
May 09, 2020
Hi, my brother is on disability and lives in a foreign country ( Panamá ) he receives his disability payment on a foreign bank account every month, will he get a stimulus check via mail or will it be deposited in the same bank account he gets his disability payment?
PammW
May 10, 2020
FTC Staff, that link you keep giving for the time frame is WRONG. I live in Australia, and my usual SSDI arrived on May 3rd, deposited in my Australian bank as usual. No sign of the Stimulus check. No one will give an answer about whether the check will be direct deposited in my Australian account or if they will send a paper check!
Geoff
May 17, 2020

In reply to by PammW

Same problem here. I'm still hoping that it will arrive by June 3 even though the SSA information matrix says April 22.
Cards01
November 09, 2020

In reply to by Geoff

Hi, I am an American citizen living in Australia & was sent my paper 'check' via the post. Now hopefully I can deposit it into my Australian bank account.
javajoe
May 10, 2020
I am living in Mexico and get my Social Security check deposited in my Mexican bank account, will I receive my stimulus check the same way....I have read that the IRS will not deposit to a foreign bank account, but being that Social Security deposits my check, I am a bit confused....many thanks...