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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.

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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.

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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.

Dtwenty7
June 02, 2020
My Dad is on SS, and he received his letter saying that his check was mailed on April 17th, on May 8th . He eventually received his check on May 14th. I honestly don’t think there is any rhyme or reason to this process. My sister received her letter saying she had already received her stimulus check on April 24th. She actually received her check on May 9th. I’m hoping the process is just convoluted, and haphazard. It says my payment was mailed May 15th, I got my letter on May 29th, and haven’t seen anything in my Informed Delivery account. I think the whole system just isn’t synced up right now.
Gngr72
June 02, 2020
Has anyone figured out anything about these missing checks? The portal said mine was scheduled to be mailed out May1st but I never received it but I did receive the letter saying I should have gotten it. I’m confused and angry at this point because no one at the IRS wants to help! Why would I want the letter when I never got the check! No stimulus relief here!
Julieann
June 02, 2020
The website my check was mailed out on may 15 but I still have not received it what do I do
Lisa
June 02, 2020
get my payment said mailed out April 24th received a letter May 11th says that I'm going to received and its June 2nd called 3 different phone numbers multiple times and nothing. Been on every website I can find for information and nothing, Help!!
swiftq1234
June 02, 2020
My stimulus check is missing and would like to know if someone cashed it or just plain taken?
flowergirl28
June 02, 2020
My check was already mailed to my old address but I live in a different state. What can I do to receive my check?
TmgtdDon't use…
June 02, 2020
IRS site says my check mailed May 8 today is June 2. Post Office says cant track it. NO WAY to contact IRS live agent to report it lost/stolen. IRS website has no option to inform either can anyone advise what or how to find out anything?
IVY
June 02, 2020
Our stimulus check also said it was mailed on 4-24. We expected a delay as we changed our address with usps. But it is now 6-2 and our family of 6 has yet to receive payment or the IRS letter. Every time I call the stimulus check help line I cant get a real person yet. . What's the best time to call?
danilopez
June 02, 2020
ive 6 weeks without receive my stimulus check
Minda6
June 02, 2020
Im in a desperate situation financialy with utilities n rent and NO STIMULAS PAYMENT! I tried to go update my banking information on the website they kicked kept kicking me out by the time I was able to get in it said that my check would be mailed out on March twentyfourth it still says that and I have not received anything I have Contacted my postmaster several times I was assured that my check would be forward to my new address I still have any received a letter!! The stimulus website gives nothing it's useless and I can update my address with the IRS because I says I cannot access an online account I finally got a job a but I am trying to catch up with everything and I don't know what to do it would be nice if we could have a number or something to contact so we could get some type of information on this!! Being a single mom Is not easy at a time like this for anybody I have no clue what to do
Adriana
June 02, 2020
My stimulus was mailed to my friend house where i use to live...jus found out that friend got my stimulus check signed it and deposit on her netpay card..how can i go report her and and depositing my check with put my consent..
Mikowallace87
June 03, 2020
Mustang police check was mailed out April 24th today's date is June 3rd and I have yet to receive it
Seandstout
June 03, 2020
I checked the Get my payment web portal and it said that my check was mailed out on May 1St, and now it's June 1St and I still haven't received my Stimulus check. I received the letter that's supposed to come after you receive your Stimulus check but no check yet. Does anyone have any information on how I would be able to find out where my check is? Thank's.
Mitzy1972
June 03, 2020
I have not received my stimulus and it says it was scheduled to be delivered on April 24th. I have not received nor the letter, nor the check.
Raypro05
June 03, 2020
I am on SSA and had direct express. Since end of week last April until now I still have not received EIP. I tracked get my payment many time I had done enter correctly information showing doesn’t match to our record. I filled non filer update same thing it has come back not correctly. I tried call IRS live person still no luck. I’m anxious hoping no one stole my information. What should I do? I was about to give up but not let anything happening that’s not fair I didn’t received I don’t file 2018-2019 taxes because I am on social security benefit. Hope will help me what I’m gonna do
Mark
June 03, 2020
I personally lost the check. I cannot find where to go to replace it.
Brownbear509
June 03, 2020
On the get my payment tool it says that my economic impact payment is scheduled to be mail out on the 1st of May nd I still haven't received the check but then I received the letter saying that I Will be getting a payment, but it hasn't ever came in at all?
yali1482
June 03, 2020
My stimulus check was mailed to my address, however, it was stolen from my mailbox. What should I do?
Kel
June 03, 2020
The website says it was scheduled to be mailed May 1st. It's June 3rd and I still haven't received the check OR the follow-up letter. (My 2018 tax address is correct.) What do I do?
eford128
June 09, 2020
Stimulus check I never got how do I report it stolen?
Serenity
June 04, 2020
My issue is not with identity theft, but I’ve tried calling so many times about this. I did receive my check, with my husband and my name on it, I made the mistake of depositing the check through ATM in my account (not the joint one) so the payment got reversed and my bank keeps telling me to wait. I’ve been waiting since April , 28. They told me to request the check to be sent from IRS. Has anyone been able to speak to a human?
Arlenemarie1985
June 04, 2020
I filed my taxes Feb. 10 to be direct deposit. On March 16 I spoke with a agent she said I was under a 60day review that it would be up by the end of April. On March 9 I put my info into the stimulus payment, Get My Payment portal and its been saying I am eligible for a payment but it don't have a payment date. It also says that it will be deposited to my bank account, that it will let me know when a date is available. I spoke with another live agent on May 17, he then told me that my funds should be processed by June 2. Well still no tax refund or stimulus payment. When should I receive my funds?
MZ
June 04, 2020
Listening to Leo's comment, I did call the 800-919-9835 line and did get a personal response! (if you get an automated response, try calling back during normal business hours, and be prepared to wait sometimes) They nicely switched me over to an IRS representative who after getting the details about my missing May 1 scheduled check (that was verified by Informed Delivery to arrive on May 8) assured me there is indeed recourse! They can search for you and offer compensation if need be. When I called, it was only four weeks out from May 1. They need at least five weeks before they do a search for you, which allows time for lost mail or whatever to be resolved. I hope this helps others. There is recourse. All the IRS reps were super nice and courteous btw. Call that number, but be sure to allow five weeks (from check issuance date) before anything can be done.
Vickievboyd
June 16, 2020
My stimulus payment was stolen out of my mailbox. Don’t know where to report it. Fear the second payment will be stolen also. Please advise what to do. Vickie V Noyd
Hungry disable…
June 04, 2020
I used the IRS update tool for direct deposit but they still sent it to the wrong account and money is gone from the account..the person is deceased and someone failed to update info social security it's and direct Express card all to blame who to blame who to contact all point fingers at each other
Uconn54
June 04, 2020
My stimulus check was stolen out of mailbox. How do I report it so I can get it resent to me
Claimed me as …
June 04, 2020
I didn't get a stimulus and have been unable to use the portal for months. Today I called and the IRS told me someone claimed me as a dependent to get the extra $. I am no ones dependent. Now I have to deal with this. I'm assuming the IRS has some responsibility to protect our information. Obviously not. I am not getting my $1,200 because of this.
Jesse G Forrest
June 04, 2020
The person who bought my former residence received informed mail notice that my check would be delivered 5/22/20 never came.USP had forwarding address. Still no check 6/4/20.
brendanashone
June 04, 2020
I have not receiver my stimulas check and a am concerned that my husband and daughter have signed my name to it. neither one of them are working and buying all kinds of unessary items
Brandy Lewis
June 04, 2020
I feel like someone stole my check because o haven't recieved one.
Momof6
June 04, 2020
Would i have a fighting chance to get your check back my check got stolen and cashed by someone I know and I havent been able to contact anyone about it!! I was giving up me n my family are about to be in the car and I got 5 kids and a mom with cancer!!!!! How will they know who cashed it? I know who did it was my moms ex husband so how can they get the proof that it wasnt me if it was already cashed!!!! And on the comments.. what's the open case you have? ....please I need the info!!! Please
FTC Staff
June 09, 2020

In reply to by Momof6

You can report the stolen check and create an IRS affidavit at www.IdentityTheft.gov. Click "Get Started" on the first page. On the next page, click on the green bar that says "someone claimed an economic stimulus payment using my information."

Fill in what you know to create an FTC identity theft report and IRS Identity Theft Affidavit. The system will automatically send the completed Affidavit to the IRS.

Tuck1272
June 05, 2020
My stimulus was sent on April 15 2020 to account I don’t recognize and I received a letter but does not say how to go about recovering my payment. I have tried emailing everyone because phone lines are off the hook but still can’t get anything done to get it.
Brian Paul Pittman
June 05, 2020
I been separated from wife 3yrs she sent my information on me tax for married filing jointly to get both mine and hers stilumus check 2400$ it invined by childsupport then they sent debt card out I filed all the information out on identity thief she she noes nothing I told why it got your account number and her ss # and my mailing address I got she never had mail at my mom I been was married to 12yr y'all back on my taxes I filed married separate she think is funny I worked 35 yr she go in behind my back I lost job my got a new car I was counting on this money now don't no what to DO
Yu144
June 05, 2020
What if I have already reported the identity theft what's the next step in order to receive my stimulus payment?
WonderingWriter
June 05, 2020
I after checking IRS's Where's My Payment Option, I discovered my payment was sent via direct deposit on May 13, yet I have not received it. My bank officials say they see no evidence of it. I also received a letter saying that I was going to get a payment, and another, dated May 13, saying it had arrived. What do I do??
bob h
June 05, 2020
I got a notice that the stimulus check would be deposited on 5/13. It was not. The bank has no record. However I received the letter stating that the payment was made for myself and my wife who died in 2019. I believe the deposit was stopped by the IRS because my wife is deceased. However there is absolutely no where I can go to find out if I am correct or if someone else got the payment. The IRS phone line is totally worthless when it comes to this type of thing. I am sure there are many other people who are in the same situation.
Looking
June 05, 2020
Received letter that payment was mailed 5-15, but no check or visa card was received.how does one find out if check was cashed by thief or if debit card was issued and stolen ???
noinfo
June 06, 2020
Get payment website shows my payment was scheduled to be mailed May 1st and a confirmation letter two weeks later. I have not received either. I've searched numerous sites and called IRS number but there's absolutely NO INFORMATION on who to contact or how to make a claim for a lost payment check.
Devin petrucha 1158
June 06, 2020
My stimulus check was stolen out the mail box
Luiscortez
June 06, 2020
My stimulus check was lost by the post office. Please check to see if it has been cashed by someone else which means it was stolen. If uncashed please reissue. Thank you. Luis Cortez
Melodyfoster77…
June 06, 2020
I have not RECEIVED my 1st STIMULUS MONEY
Jessica Moore
June 06, 2020
Help i was in jail and a friend stole my check out the mail box and cashed my check
Ahmadullah abdul
June 06, 2020
I stil not received my check what can ido
kathleen warren
June 06, 2020
how do i cancel the form i sent in for identity theft can i cancel it
Tania
June 07, 2020
The irs.gov page said my check was mailed May 22, I have yet to receive it. Who do I call or email. Please help me.
DEETEE
June 07, 2020
I noted on the site my check was to mailed on 5/22/2020. I have not received a check or letter. How long does it to receive it. I am not sure if I receive a card. Something came in the mail as a card but I shredded it. How can I find out if I was sent a card. I called the number associated with it but it want the card number I dont have that info
Jamesfitts
June 07, 2020
I received a letter last Monday that says I received my stimulus check on may 15th but haven't got it yet