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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.

Eva E
December 09, 2020
I received my check but my bank, BPI willn it deposit it because it's not an as check. What local banks will accept the economic impact check?
balvara
December 09, 2020
I am a U.S. citizen living in Mexico. I received the stimulus check in the mail, but my bank won't cash the check, even if I deposit it. I was told to return the check to IRS and reapply next year, but next year I will have the same problem. Why won't IRS direct deposit to foreign bank accounts?
Ann
December 14, 2020
I also live in Europe. Got my Economic Impact check in July. Since no banks in Europe cash checks anymore, I took copies of everything, including a statement from my bank,etc. and sent it to the U.S. Department of treasury. Haven’t heard anything. Is this just another scam?
Switzerland
December 22, 2020
We, my wife and I, live in Switzerland and we did receive 2 checks but it's impossible to cash them. We do not have a bank account in the US. I looked at Internet and saw that many people face the same problem primarily because foreign bank do not accept or cash these checks. We would like to know if the US government is acknowledging this problem. Thank you.
sj
January 02, 2021
Is my US citizen child (less than 18 years), currently not living in the US eligible for Economic Impact Payments? She was born in the US while I was on a legal work permit. If eligible, how/where do I apply for her benefits? This will be the first time applying. I did not submit any requests in 2020. Thanks
S W in Philippines
January 14, 2021
My bank in the Philippines is returning my Stimulus check that I received last month. They say they cannot cash it or deposit it in my account. What do I do? How do I get my check cashed and deposited in my account in the Philippines.
Bruce Wells Do…
January 20, 2021
I have tried to register my self ,because i live in Melbourne Australia having trouble I am a retiree I'm not sure if I've received all my stimulus checks.
billiemia
January 26, 2021
Hi, I'm an an american citizen living abroad for almost 10 years. I have not filed tax for over 10 years. Am I still eligible to receive covid19 economic impact payment?
Mehmetaj
January 27, 2021
Does my child take the payment.He is US citizen age 2 but lives out of USA. Me and my husband are not citizens If yes, how can apply
Ine
February 06, 2021
I live in The Netherlands and don’t have a US bank account. I’ve received the economic impact payment by check and would like to know how I can cash it in The Netherlands - in other words, with which bank. I receive social security by monthly payment to my Dutch bank account, so wouldn’t it be possible ti receive this payment on the same account?
Steven11
February 08, 2021
I received my stimulus Check, but we can't do anything with it because Hungary banks won't accept checks. I receives his Social Security payments per direct deposit into a German Hungary bank account. Is there a way to have the stimulus money direct deposited like the Social Security payments into our Hungary bank account?
TJon't use you…
February 18, 2021
I have received a Treasury Check here in Indonesia but the banks will not deposit or cash it! Any suggestions?
Greek_American
February 18, 2021
I am an expat living in Greece for the past 30 years. I have 2 sons that I have naturalized them as US citizens. Can my kids fill to receive the two economic stimulus payment programs?
Pohnpei met
February 21, 2021
I received the stimulus check.however, my bank of guam cannot cash it..they are asking for w2 and more reviews whether I qualify.
ItzelLechuga
March 01, 2021
Hello, I have been living abroad for a few years due to family reasons and haven't received a stimulus check and i'm currently unemployeed due to COVID-19 and haven't used my SSN for a while, how can I request to receive the stimulus check or government assistance?
Angie
March 02, 2021
Hi, does anyone know how to contact the IRS customer service? I'm currently living in the Philippines. My checking acct on file got closed, so I would like to check the status of my stimulus and how I could get it. The address on file is the one I lived at when I was in the US. I tried the number for international callers found in their website but unable to reach it. Thank you
t j
March 04, 2021
I have received an Economic Impact Payment Check but my bank (HSBC} will not cash or accept it for a deposit! What are my options now? i need the money asap! Thanks
dutch rick
March 04, 2021
economic impact payment checks. the social security dept sends payments direct to your bank accounts.why cant the irs also use this method?
ceemikew
March 11, 2021
I live abroad and do not have a US bank account. I have filed income tax each year for at least the past 10 years. I never received my payment and was wondering who to contact to find information about this.
FTC Staff
March 15, 2021

In reply to by ceemikew

The IRS says that it you didn’t get the full amount of the first or second Economic Impact  Payments, you may be eligible to claim the 2020 Recovery Rebate Credit and must file a 2020 tax return even if you don’t normally file. The third Economic Impact Payment will not be used to calculate the 2020 Recovery Rebate Credit.

New Zealand Resident
March 14, 2021
Hi bank in New Zealand are phasing out cheque use. What options are available to receive the payment electronically into my account in New Zealand
FTC Staff
March 15, 2021

In reply to by New Zealand Resident

You may find information on the IRS site.

kiwi
July 04, 2021

In reply to by FTC Staff

What are you to do with a Stimulus Check that cannot be banked in New Zealand. I have checked the IRS website and apparently they will not deposit the money into an overseas account. Can you shed any light on what US citizen's living in New Zealand should do since all our banks are refusing to bank International checks as of 30th June 2021. Many thanks.
gokce
March 15, 2021
I m not us citizen. But my Baby born in us in 2020. She is us citizen. What should ı do to get economic impact for covid for her ?
FTC Staff
March 15, 2021

In reply to by gokce

The IRS says if you did not get the full amount of the first or second Economic Impact  Payments, you may be eligible to claim the 2020 Recovery Rebate Credit. To get it, you must file a 2020 tax return, even if you don’t normally file. Read more at www.IRS.gov/EIP.

KAH
April 11, 2021

In reply to by FTC Staff

What is the next step, after filing a 2020 tax return? There is no information on the IRS site about what to do next. I have yet to receive any of the three checks. I found information that says I am eligible, but nothing about how to actually get the check (other than filing tax returns). Where can I find this information? What should I do if I have yet to receive any of the checks?
Mr. Smith
March 29, 2021
I have received a check, but live in Germany. No bank here wants to cash it. They have stopped cashing checks from the Treasury Department years ago. Any ideas where I can cash it? Thank you in advance.
Kevin
April 02, 2021

In reply to by Mr. Smith

I live in Europe too and no bank here will cash mine either. I even wrote a registered email to the IRS in the States and nothing!
JB- IRS - Error
March 29, 2021
why does the GET MY Payment now NOT recognize my SSN, or address?? I was mailed the first check so I positively know the information is correct, anyways, and then got a letter for the second but nothing has showed up past 7 days. Since the portal does not work, how else can I locate the check? I am curious how the website also does not have any instructions on this part - Enter your Street Address in "123 Main St NW #7" format. Do not enter City/Town or State. - Am I suppose to use the actual pound sign or not in the address? I didnt enter it this way on the website the first time.
Nornor
March 29, 2021
Hello I am a American living overseas, i do have a social security number but I'm not working yet so have no taxes to pay, how do i get my stimulus payment? Thank you.
joyce
April 09, 2021
My partner was an American citizen and my daughter we live in the philippines are they qualified to receive stimulus check ?
Ysa bella
April 11, 2021

In reply to by joyce

Hi Joyce. Did you receive a stimulus check for your daughter? We are in the same boat. No stimulus checks for us also.
ebjarrell
April 13, 2021
I live in Ireland and have been out of work and on social welfare since 2008. As such, I have not filed a tax return. I only now discovered that I could qualify for the third stimulus check as well as some sort of rebate for the last two. I don't think the IRS has any of my current information and would like to find out what step to take next.
aaa
April 19, 2021
Hello i live in Jordan, and i received my second impact payment, now bank here accepted to cash the Cheque ! Any suggestions
Jut@080£€2
April 19, 2021
I am on ssdi and I live abroad I got my first 2 but not the 3rd yet Do you know why, or do you know when I will get my 3rd check. Thank you JustinBrown
joannamariecab…
April 21, 2021
My mom (a senior) had received her economic impact check but apparently no local bank here in the Philippines accepts her check. What to do? Also, the first check for economic impact fund has been torned. What to do?
Burns
May 05, 2021
I got this information fron the Get my payment: Payment Status We scheduled your payment to be mailed on April 23, 2021 to the address we have on file for you. I live in Mexico: How long will it take to arrive to my residence'? Also, I am on Social Security, my check is deposited every month on time. Why my stimulus is not deposited instead of sending it by USPS?
Clif
May 24, 2021
Hi im a us citizen with 3 child i didnt get àny stimulus check im here in philippines can somebody help me how to get it
Abdullah
June 04, 2021
I am a US citizen living in Pakistan I got my stimulus checks but banks in Pakistan are not dealing with these kind of checks what should I do
WPT
June 10, 2021
I am a retired Australian citizen who previously worked in US and receive Social Security regular payments. Recently I received a US Treasury Check for $1400. Is this legitimate, and should I bank the check here in Australia?
Jbiggs
August 03, 2021
I am an Expat living in Taiwan for the past 9 years and am finding it very complicated to receive my Stimulus since they wont deposit into an international bank and since I cannot open an account in the states from here. And if they mailed it no bank here would cash it. A bit ridiculous how useless international banks are and how there really are no decent options for Expats,
verne
August 20, 2021
date 19 Aug. 2021 living in Thailand- still haven't received my payment ... why? when will I get mine? have a direct deposit already set up for ss received the either two still waiting for the third. why so slow are any others in Thailand waiting?