COLUMBUS – Economic impact payments will be issued in the coming weeks, funds authorized for nearly all Americans under the rescue package approved last month by Congress.
Federal and state authorities are warning that scam artists have already thought up ways to use this opportunity to defraud Ohioans.
“Ruthless criminals will take this opportunity to prey upon our fears in order to try and line their own pockets by stealing your money or your personal information,” said Bryant Jackson, Special Agent in Charge for the Cincinnati Field Office of IRS Criminal Investigation.
For more information, visit the IRS website
Click here toe report possible scams to the Ohio Attorney General or call 800-282-0515
Under the plan, the federal government will provide $1,200 stimulus payments to individual taxpayers making under $75,000; $2,400 payments for married couples filing jointly and making under $150,000 combined. An additional payment of $500 will be made per qualifying child under the age of 17.
For most Americans, the checks will be a direct deposit into a bank account. For those without bank accounts or others who have traditionally received tax refunds via paper check, payments will be made by paper check, opening recipients up to a number of scams.
Officials remind taxpayers expecting a payment to follow these guidelines:
The IRS will deposit your check into the direct deposit account you previously provided on your tax return or send you a paper check.
The IRS will not call and ask you to verify your payment details. Do not give out your bank account, debit account, or PayPal account information – even if someone claims it’s necessary to get your check. It’s a scam.
If you receive a call, don’t engage with scammers or thieves. Just hang up.
If you receive texts or emails claiming that you can get your money faster by sending personal information or clicking on links, delete them. Do not click on the links.
Treasury checks have not yet been mailed. If you receive a “check” in the mail now, it is not legitimate.
If you receive a “check” for an odd amount, especially one with cents (i.e. $1499.50), or a “check” requiring you to verify the “check” online or by calling a phone number, it is a fraud.
The IRS will not ask you to send money
-Sources: U.S. Attorney/Ohio Attorney General
Recipients should get a paper notice in the mail a couple weeks after your payment is sent, letting you know where it was sent and when.
If you can’t locate the payment at that point, call the IRS at a legitimate phone number.