Millions of Americans are (not so) patiently waiting for their economic impact payments (also known as stimulus checks). With some Americans getting several thousand dollars, it’s definitely a much needed and very helpful payment in many cases.
While some Americans have already received their payments via direct deposit, physical checks have yet to arrive in mailboxes. If you’re wondering when your payment will arrive, the best (and only) official source of information is IRS.gov. Later this month, the site will add a new feature that will allow Americans to check the status of their payment.
Many Americans are confused about how these checks will arrive and if they need to actually do anything in order to get their payment. If you filed your taxes in 2018 or 2019, you shouldn’t need to do anything. If you did not file your taxes, head over to IRS.gov to find out if you qualify for a stimulus check.
If you want to speed up the process of getting your payment, make sure you’re signed up for direct deposit. If you provided direct deposit information when you filed your taxes, you’re all set. If not, you can do so at IRS.gov.
Meanwhile, scammers are out in full force trying to take advantage of unsuspecting Americans. Don’t be a victim. If someone calls, texts, emails or contacts you through social media claiming to be an IRS agent or asking for personal information regarding a stimulus check or COVID-19 payment, do not give them any information. They are a scammer.
Sarah Kull is a Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation of the Detroit Field Office, and she told UpNorthLive, “We are seeing people making phone calls pretending to be an IRS agent going as far as giving a fake badge number and trying to get the person on the other line to verify their personal identity, give them their social security number, give them their bank account information – and there’s no need to do that. The IRS will not call you for that.”
If you have already talked to a scammer and didn’t know it, you can report it by emailing DetroitFieldOffice@CI.IRS.gov; however, there is no guarantee that you will get any money back.
Have you gotten your stimulus check yet? How are you going to spend it?