POTENTIAL COVID-19 ECONOMIC IMPACT PAYMENT SCAMS

As millions of American anticipate receiving economic impact payments in the coming weeks, the IRS offers the following information and tips to spot a scam and understand how the COVID-19 related economic impact payments will be issued.

• The IRS will deposit your payment into the direct deposit account you previously provided on your tax return (or, in the alternative, send you a paper check).
• The IRS will NOT call and ask you to verify your payment details. Do NOT give your bank account, debit account, or PayPal account information to anyone – even if someone claims it’s necessary to get your check. It’s a scam.
• If you receive a call, do NOT engage with scammers, even if you want to tell them that you know it’s a scam. Just hang up.
• If you receive texts or emails claiming that you can get your money faster by sending personal identifying information or clicking on links, delete these texts and emails. Do NOT click on any links in those texts or emails.
• Reports are swirling about bogus checks. If you receive a “check” in the mail now, it’s a scam. It will take the Treasury a few more weeks to mail out the COVID-19 economic impact payments. If you receive a “check” for an odd amount (especially one with cents), or a check that requires you to verify the check online or by calling a number, it’s a scam.
• In these uncertain and trying times, we need to remain vigilant. Please help us protect everyone in your community by telling family, friends and elderly neighbors to be on the lookout for these potential scams.  You work hard for your money, do NOT become a victim of these scams. If something sounds too good to be true, it is probably fraudulent.
  
  For more information, visit the IRS website at IRS.gov/coronavirus