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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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Glen
May 15, 2020
My check was mailed out may 1 into my mail box I do believe someone stole it .have not receivedd no ck the letter I got said I did and poll get my payment said it was mailed may 1 but I still haven't got I need help finding out we're my ck is thk u
Rahsin
May 15, 2020
My check was supposed to be mailed on the 24th. Got the letter yesterday but still no check. I've tried calling every number but no way to get any information. The letter was supposed to give info if check wasn't received but it was just an automated message. Don't know what to do!!
Covington41
May 15, 2020
I received the letter this past Wednesday (5/13) saying the payment was mailed April 24th. I still don't have the check. I have Informed Delivery Digest and I did see this letter. There was a piece of mail that showed up on April 26th on the app but the photo was not clear so I am not sure if that was the check or not. I just wanted to share this to let others know that many of us are experiencing this problem. It's really irresponsible of the IRS to not provide some kind of phone number where we can speak with someone about these issues and get them corrected. The phone number on the letter is just an automated voice. I did contact my congresswoman to see if she has any advice. Good luck to everyone.
JILL
May 15, 2020
SOMEONE TOOK MY STIMULUS CHECK FROM MY MAIL ... WHAT CAN I DO?
Dan1elleBa1ley
May 15, 2020
I'm in a homeless shelter I lost my bag with my stimulus check in it how do I handle this situation at this point because I was told to call the IRS but I'm unable to because it's it's because of what's going on right now. Again I'm in a homeless shelter my check got delivered I had it someone stole my bag with all my important information in it I found a police report and I've reordered my cards but I'm not sure how to go about getting a new check
FTC Staff
May 20, 2020

In reply to by Dan1elleBa1ley

This FTC blog post explains what to do if you think an identity thief got your stimulus payment.

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 identity theft report and IRS Identity Theft Affidavit. The system will create a list of steps for what you can do next.

Lifegots2change
May 15, 2020
I received a letter in the mail saying I received my stimulus check but I never got it in the mail so who do I talk to or how do I get it I really need it.
EP1
May 15, 2020
IT WOULD BE NICE IF PEOPLE THAT HAVE NOT RECEIVED THAT ARE ON HERE LET EVERYONE KNOW IF THEY DO GET IT SO WE CAN ALL HAVE PIECE OF MIND.
Ronn1957
May 15, 2020
My stimulus check was stolen ,I dont kno if it has been cashed yet
Ronn1957
May 15, 2020
Please resend my stimulus check to my account and not my address Thank you.
Calvin Reed
May 15, 2020
Irs.gov coronavirus told me that my stimulus check was mailed out on the 24th of April 2020 I received the letter last Saturday from the White House stating that my check has been mailed to the address I never received my check they say the check never came I think someone stole my check
Dave from Balt…
May 15, 2020
I went on irs.gov and it says my stimulus payment was sent on April.24,2020 I also received the letter from the White House stating that my payment has arrived. It is May.15,2020 and I have not received my payment. I have tried calling the number on the letter but it’s just automated with absolutely NO resolution to the problem. I really need help and information on how to recover my payment or get reissued my check.
I want my econ…
May 15, 2020
I’m a tax paying single mother and irs says my check was mailed out on may, 1st and NOTHING!!! I’ve moved from the place they had on file, I changed my address with USPS and still nothing !!! Someone has stolen my check
BB
May 15, 2020
So "get my payment" said my check would be sent out May 1, but to an old address. How would I know if someone took it? Or am I supposed to just show up to my old address and ask the people living there now if they have seen my check?
Jladams
May 16, 2020
What do I do if the check was sent to the wrong bank account. Someone else's?
PBCa.Don't use…
May 16, 2020
I received notice 1444 from resident at my prior address but not my stimulus check they claim they never got it , how do I report this incident.
Clarebear
May 16, 2020
What am I supposed to do if I have received the stimulus letter (about a week ago now) but still haven’t received the paper check yet?
Isaac Mckelvin
May 16, 2020
MyEconomic Impact Payments was sent but I have not received it myself...It was sent to my home when I was away and when I came back it was missing. I never had a chance to pick it up
SnailMail Isn'…
May 16, 2020
It seems like across the country people's stimulus checks are missing from their mail boxes. There is an issue here that needs to be addressed. There is no help on any one of the 3 government sites I visited. Needless to say I've been at this for hours now in an attempt to try and reissue, or resend my check. We're going to need a more clear-cut answer to this issue. Any assistance would be appreciated by an exponentially increasing amount of Americans who have had their stimulus checks plucked from their mail boxes.
KarenB
May 16, 2020
I see there are many many who have not received their check that was mailed out 24th of April. My granddaughter has not received hers either. I want to know if anyone out there has received a check that was mailed out on this day or even after. I'm wander if they haven't mailed any checks out yet. We are speaking of the government.
Sweet Omar
May 16, 2020
I'm in the same boat as everyone. I received a mail stating on May 1st I was supposed to received the check, up to now ZERO check received. Any body got any update or if you just received yours?
Postal scam/fraud?
May 16, 2020
I also received the letter confirming my stimulus payment of $1200, the portal verifies the check being sent May 1st. I cannot believe all of the people that have not received their checks and even after confirmation of the check on it's way with informed mail. I can see if it were a few checks lost in the mail, but after seeing all the same issue posted, it sure seems like it may be a high profile postal fraud/scam, and needs to be investigated. The IRS does need to set up a portal for people to report their lost or stolen checks so they can start looking to see if the checks are being deposited into financial institutes or personal accounts. So has anyone out there received their check yet? I've given up hope and can do nothing but cry.
Trina
May 16, 2020
Somwone filed taxes under my name for 2019. So i havent received my return or a stimulus check. Ive filled out the affadavit on the identitytheft site but havent heard back from anyone. It's been 5 or 6 week now. Any advice on how to get my taxes rectified and my return processed?
VG3
May 17, 2020
When entering my information in the Get My Payment portal, if the address I enter is recognized and gives me a scheduled date for my stimulus to be mailed. Isn’t that the address it will be mailed to?
Deonteblount21
May 20, 2020
I did not receive my stimulus check
Rena Camerlinck
May 17, 2020
Stimulus check sent to unknown bank account on Apr 15 still nothing i dont know what to do
ShalondaGipson
May 18, 2020
My check went to my old address, despite the change of address I did, and I think they kept it. It’s been almost a month and I still have not received it. What to do?
sad_and_mad
May 18, 2020
I got the payment confirmation letter on May 15 but no stimulus check. It said it was to be mailed out May 1, 2020 and still no check. I don't know how long to wait before filing identity theft but I will call the post office.
Damarislovee
May 18, 2020
Even though I received my 2019 taxes, apparently someone was still able to claim me as a dependent, which made me ineligible for a stimulus check.I sent out a 14093 form already Will I receive a stimulus check after the tax fraud has been fixed? Please help
kckckcv
May 18, 2020
In order to submit bank information for direct deposit for the stimulus check one must choose wether they received a refund or owed money and how much. I filed, but didn't receive a refund or owe money so I'm denied and locked out from submitting.
Marlin g Watkins
May 18, 2020
I think my check got stolen out of my mail box I got the letter saying I received it and the get my payment says it was mailed may 1 I need help
Smith668
May 18, 2020
The web site says check was sent out on 4/28/20 .I have not received any letter nor my check. I've had my mail Forward to new Address Plus I have a POBox. NOTHING. I NEED MY MONEY. YOU CAN'T GET A LIVE PERSON TO AT LEAST PUT A STOP & REISSUE. I DON'T NO IF IT WAS STOLEN OR SENT TO THE LAST PLACE I DID MY TAXES... I DON'T HAVE NO ONE TO REPORT THIS TO. THE POST OFFICE IS NO HELP...
JAWil
May 18, 2020
I saw my check in my "informed delivery" photo along with several other items that were to be delivered. The mailman did not deliver any of the mail. It was stolen by a carrier. How do I get my check replaced?? I reported the incident to the Post Master General.
Donnie.7
May 18, 2020
I went to my payment to find status on my stimulous payment.It read: The last 4 digits #and it wasnt a card or account thats mine.it was supposed to go on my direct express card...im on disability,i havent seen any information on what steps to take?
80z
May 18, 2020
I'm having the same issue. Informed delivery states that my check was being delivered on the 9th of may. It is now the 18th and still nothing has come in the mail. By seeing the informed delivery, I know that the check was at the distribution center in Portland. But from there, I have no clue what's happened. I've been to the post office and declared it missing. I hate to say it but how would I ever know if my check was stolen by a post office employee? I'm begging the irs to at least give us some info on what to do since we aren't supposed to call about stimulus questions. How can we make sure the check hasn't been cashed somehow? And how can we cancel the check if it has been stolen?
buddhist65
May 25, 2020

In reply to by 80z

Same thing happened to me. Informed Digest from the post office said it was coming that day. Saw picture of check in envelope. Never delivered. Call IRS stimulus phone number. 800 919 9835 and press 1 for live person
Fsingletary
May 18, 2020
How do I report it if my stimulus check was stolen from my mailbox?
TrappGene07
May 18, 2020
Someone has been using different ID to sign in to get my payment and they might have stolen my stimulus check
FTC Staff
May 20, 2020

In reply to by TrappGene07

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 identity theft report and IRS Identity Theft Affidavit. The system will create a list of steps for what you can do next.

Ronnee
May 18, 2020
I received a paper check and it was stolen how do I get another one reissued?
LEO
May 18, 2020
Me too. The freaking 24th. I have been checking my mail box since 22nd. No check. Only a white house letter by 5/8 .And I dont get the point to update your bank account,since irs gonna send you the check anyway.and no where to ask to report.
ash d
May 18, 2020
my stimulas check is saying deposited into account but netspend saying they never received it
Jonathan Rosario
May 18, 2020
My stimulus check was scheduled to be mailed to me by or on May 1st and I still haven’t gotten my check and I think it was inserted in the wrong mailbox or stolen from my mailbox.
Quick me no cash
May 18, 2020
So I got a letter saying my stimulus check will … arrive in a check or debit card. Get my payment said it was mailed May 1, 2020 ! Is this conceivable " Thank you
jack ???
May 18, 2020
I got a letter saying that my check was mailed or a debit card or check and received neither and the letter said . will … come " 1 Get my payment said it was mailed May 1, 2020 ! Does any of this make sense ?
AHarding
May 18, 2020
I have not received my stimlius check and it said it was suppose to be mailed out on the 24th of April I got the letter from the IRS but still ain't received the check what do I do.
raaddw
May 18, 2020
I need help please I am separated from spouse pending a divorce he use my information alone with my children to file for the stimulus and the money was deposited into his account. I reached out to him to request my half of the money he said no and before he give me any money he would go to jail. I did reach out to the police and was told to start here alone with the report they took Any suggestions on what to do because I didn’t authorize the use of my personal information Thanks for answering my question
FTC Staff
May 22, 2020

In reply to by raaddw

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 identity theft report and IRS Identity Theft Affidavit. The system will create a list of steps for what you can do next.

Mookie
May 18, 2020
My stimulus check was supposed to be mailed out on May 1, 2020. Its may 18th and i still have not recieved my check yet. Today i recieved the 15 day letter but no check. What is going on? I paid my taxes as well. Here they talking about sending more money and i haven't even recieved the first check yet.