Shavell said scammers are using that information to convince people they’re with a legitimate government agency, or even that person’s employer. They will offer to help them deposit their stimulus check, only to steal the money instead. The FTC reports that at least $300 million has been stolen that way.
How can I check if someone cashed my stimulus check?
Yes, if you need to know whether your federal tax refund check was cashed, you can initiate a refund trace by using one of the following methods: Call us at 800-829-1954 (toll-free) and either use the automated system or speak with a representative.
How to report a stolen federal stimulus check?
If you think an identity thief got your stimulus payment, report the stolen check and create an IRS affidavit at Click “Get Started” on the first page. On the next page, click on the green bar that says “Someone filed a Federal tax return – or claimed an economic stimulus payment – using my information.”
What should I do if someone stole my stimulus check?
“You can also consult a family attorney. The best thing to do is to take notes. Write down the date and time a check was received, when it was taken away, when it was deposited into the other person’s account, etc.”
How do I know if I missed my stimulus check?
How do I know if I missed — or someone stole — my stimulus check? Watch your mailbox. The IRS says it’s going to mail out letters within 15 days of making people’s payments, complete with “information on how the payment was made and how to report any failure to receive the payment.” The note will go to taxpayers’ last known address.
Can a stimulus check be sent to an old account?
According to the IRS, if you have signed on with a new bank or moved since your last filed tax return, your stimulus check could have been sent to your old account or address. The agency has indicated that it has no way of knowing that the account or address has been changed, so you should update that information as soon as possible.