If a Scammer Steals Your Stimulus Payment
Learn how to identify stolen or misdirected stimulus payments, report identity theft fast, and protect your tax and financial accounts.
Economic impact payments, often called stimulus payments, were designed to help people weather financial shocks. But they also gave scammers new ways to misuse stolen personal information and hijack payments before the rightful person ever saw a dollar. If you suspect that someone stole your stimulus money or filed for it using your identity, you need to act quickly and follow the official reporting process.
This guide walks you through how to recognize stimulus-related identity theft, report it to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and protect your accounts so it does not happen again.
Understanding Stimulus Payment Identity Theft
Stimulus payment identity theft happens when someone uses your personal information to claim or redirect a government relief payment intended for you. In most cases, thieves exploit information such as your Social Security number, date of birth, or bank account details to impersonate you with the IRS or other agencies.
Common Ways Thieves Steal Stimulus Payments
- Filing a fake federal tax return using your name and Social Security number, then claiming the stimulus as part of that fraudulent return.
- Claiming a stimulus payment directly by entering your information on IRS systems or online tools before you do.
- Changing your direct deposit information so the payment goes into a bank account or prepaid card they control.
- Intercepting mailed checks or prepaid cards from your mailbox or an old address.
- Tricking you with phishing scams that imitate IRS or government messages and ask you for bank or personal data, then use it to reroute your funds.
Warning Signs Your Stimulus Payment May Have Been Stolen
Identity theft is often discovered when something with the IRS does not add up. Watch for these early warning signs:
- You check your stimulus payment status on an official IRS tool and see it was already issued, but you never received it.
- You get an IRS notice about a tax return you did not file or a refund you did not request.
- The IRS says your stimulus was sent to a bank account you do not recognize.
- A mailed stimulus check or debit card was lost, stolen, or cashed by someone else.
- You receive collection calls or notices about tax issues that do not match your filing history.
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Any of these red flags should trigger a prompt identity theft report and follow-up steps.
First Step: Use IdentityTheft.gov to Report the Problem
The federal government created IdentityTheft.gov as a centralized portal for reporting and responding to identity theft. It links directly with the IRS process for handling tax-related identity theft.
How IdentityTheft.gov Helps You
- Lets you create an official identity theft report that is recognized by the FTC and other agencies.
- Guides you step by step to complete an IRS Identity Theft Affidavit (Form 14039) when tax or stimulus fraud is involved.
- Submits that affidavit electronically to the IRS on your behalf, so you do not have to mail it separately.
- Provides a personalized recovery plan with tasks such as placing fraud alerts and contacting credit bureaus.
- Allows you to download or print your affidavit and recovery plan for your own records or to share with banks, law enforcement, or credit bureaus.
Step-by-Step: Filing Through IdentityTheft.gov
Use these steps as a general roadmap:
- Go to IdentityTheft.gov using a secure connection and type the URL directly into your browser rather than clicking links from emails or texts.
- Select “Get Started” and answer the initial question about what best describes your situation.
- Choose the option that indicates someone filed a federal tax return or claimed a stimulus payment using your information. This puts you into the tax-related identity theft pathway.
- Provide as many details as you can about what happened: when you discovered the problem, what notices you received, and why you believe the payment was stolen.
- Review the generated IRS Form 14039 on the site and confirm the information is correct before submitting it electronically to the IRS.
- Download or print copies of the FTC identity theft report and the completed affidavit for your records.
IRS Form 14039: Why It Matters and How It Works
The IRS uses Form 14039, Identity Theft Affidavit, to document tax-related identity theft and to flag compromised accounts inside its systems. If your stimulus payment was stolen through a fraudulent tax return or other misuse of your taxpayer information, this form is essential.
What Form 14039 Does for You
- Alerts the IRS that your taxpayer identification number (TIN) has been misused.
- Triggers an internal review of any suspicious returns or payments filed under your identity.
- Helps the IRS lock down your account to prevent additional fraudulent filings.
- Creates a formal record that you are a victim of identity theft, which can help with future disputes and corrections.
Key Information Typically Included
While IdentityTheft.gov prepares the form for you, it may ask for:
- Your full name, address, and contact information.
- Your Social Security number or taxpayer identification number.
- Information on the tax year involved and whether a fraudulent return was filed.
- A short statement (optional) describing how your identity was misused and what you know about the stolen stimulus payment.
After You Submit Form 14039
Once your affidavit is filed:
- The IRS will review your account, which may take time, especially during heavy fraud periods.
- You might receive further letters or notices asking for verification or clarifying information.
- The IRS may recommend you obtain an Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN) to safeguard future returns.
- The IRS may recommend you obtain an Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN) to safeguard future returns.
Protecting Yourself During and After an Investigation
Reporting the theft is only the first step. Because stimulus payment theft usually involves broader identity theft, you should also take defensive measures with your credit and financial accounts.
Immediate Protection Measures
- Place a fraud alert on your credit file with at least one major credit bureau; that bureau will pass it to the others. This makes it harder for someone to open new accounts in your name.
- Check your credit reports for unfamiliar accounts, addresses, or inquiries, and dispute anything you do not recognize. Federal law gives you access to free credit reports from each major bureau.
- Contact your bank and card issuers to flag your accounts, change online banking credentials, and consider new card numbers if needed.
- Reset passwords for email, financial, and government-related accounts, using unique and complex passphrases.
Get an Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN)
An Identity Protection PIN is a six-digit code the IRS uses to verify that a tax return filed in your name is actually from you. Once you enroll:
- The IRS will reject any return that does not include your correct IP PIN, helping to block future fraudulent filings.
- You receive a new IP PIN each year, often through your IRS online account or mail.
| Protection Tool | Who Issues It | What It Protects | Best Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN) | IRS | Your federal tax account and tax returns | When you have experienced or are at high risk of tax-related identity theft |
| Fraud Alert | Credit Bureaus | New credit accounts and loans tied to your credit file | When your personal data has been exposed or misused for any type of identity theft |
Spotting and Avoiding Stimulus Payment Scams
Even if your payment has already arrived, scammers may still target you with fake offers, urgent warnings, or promises of extra money. Recognizing these scams helps you avoid further losses.
How Scammers Pretend to Be the Government
- Phone calls or texts claiming to be from the IRS, Treasury, or another federal agency asking for your bank account or Social Security number to release your stimulus funds.
- Emails with official-looking logos that include links or attachments about your stimulus eligibility or payment status.
- Social media messages advertising faster stimulus processing in exchange for a fee or your personal information.
- Fake websites or portals that closely resemble government sites and ask you to “verify” your information or pay a small charge to unlock your payment.
Key Rules to Remember
- The IRS does not initiate contact with you by email, text message, or social media to request personal or financial information about stimulus payments.
- The IRS will never ask you to pay a fee to get your stimulus payment or to speed it up.
- Any request for your full Social Security number, bank account number, or debit/credit card information in order to “release” stimulus funds is a major red flag.
- Use only official .gov websites that you type directly into your browser to check on payment status or tax information.
If Your Stimulus Was Sent to the Wrong Account or Address
Not every problem is pure identity theft. Sometimes, payments go to an old bank account, a closed account, or an address you no longer use. The IRS maintains dedicated online information centers and frequently asked questions to help people resolve these issues.
If IdentityTheft.gov does not match your situation (for example, there is no sign that a fraudulent return was filed), check the official IRS resources on economic impact payments for guidance on:
- Payments that were marked as deposited but never arrived in your account.
- Checks or cards mailed to the wrong address.
- Payments sent to bank accounts you do not recognize but without broader evidence of identity theft.
These resources explain when you may need to request a payment trace, work with your financial institution, or correct your information with the IRS.
Record-Keeping and Documentation
Good records can make identity theft recovery less painful and help you demonstrate that you acted promptly.
- Keep copies of all IRS letters or notices related to your tax account or stimulus payment.
- Save your FTC identity theft report and IRS Form 14039 confirmation from IdentityTheft.gov.
- Maintain a log of phone calls, including dates, times, and the names or ID numbers of any representatives you speak with.
- Store confirmation numbers for credit bureau disputes, fraud alerts, and credit freezes.
- File copies of any police reports you make regarding stolen mail, cards, or checks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I know whether to use IdentityTheft.gov or just contact the IRS?
If you believe someone used your personal information to file a tax return or claim a stimulus payment, start at IdentityTheft.gov so an IRS Identity Theft Affidavit can be created and sent electronically. If your concern is a routing or address error with no sign of identity misuse, consult the IRS economic impact payment information center first.
Q: Will reporting stimulus identity theft delay my regular tax refund?
Tax-related identity theft often leads to additional review of your account, which can delay processing while the IRS confirms which filings are legitimate. However, reporting the issue is necessary to protect your account and reduce the risk of further fraudulent filings.
Q: Should I file my tax return if someone already filed a fake one in my name?
Yes. The IRS generally advises people to file their tax return as soon as possible, even if a fraudulent one was filed first, so the agency has accurate information to work with. Follow any special instructions you receive from the IRS in its notices.
Q: Is an Identity Protection PIN available to everyone?
The IRS now allows many taxpayers to opt in to the IP PIN program, not just confirmed identity theft victims, as a way to add an extra layer of protection to their tax accounts. You can check your eligibility and request an IP PIN through your IRS online account.
Q: What should I do if a scammer calls or messages me about my stimulus payment?
Hang up or delete the message without responding, then go directly to official .gov websites if you want to verify anything. Do not click links, do not provide personal or financial information, and consider reporting the scam to the FTC as a fraud attempt.
References
- Did an ID thief steal your stimulus payment? Report it to us. — Federal Trade Commission (FTC). 2020-05-15. https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2020/05/did-id-thief-steal-your-stimulus-payment-report-it-us
- Identity theft guide for individuals — Internal Revenue Service (IRS). 2023-08-18. https://www.irs.gov/identity-theft-central/identity-theft-guide-for-individuals
- Preventing fraud and identity theft — U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). 2023-09-29. https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/covid-19-relief-options/preventing-fraud-identity-theft
- Consumer Alert: Protect your stimulus payments and avoid COVID-19 scams — Minnesota Department of Commerce. 2020-04-14. https://mn.gov/commerce/news/index.jsp?id=17-436124
- Federal Stimulus Payment Scam — State of Michigan, Department of Attorney General. 2020-05-01. https://www.michigan.gov/consumerprotection/protect-yourself/consumer-alerts/scams/federal-stimulus-payment
- IdentityTheft.gov — Federal Trade Commission (FTC). 2023-05-09. https://www.identitytheft.gov
- Are you an IRS Non-Filer? Tips to Avoid a Stimulus Check Identity Scam — Identity Theft Resource Center. 2020-04-22. https://www.idtheftcenter.org/post/are-you-an-irs-non-filer-tips-to-avoid-a-stimulus-check-identity-scam/
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