According to the Federal Trade Commission, criminals use the promise of third stimulus checks to steal money from victims who are not expecting it.

In March President Joe Biden signed the American Rescue Plan. It authorized a third round pandemic-era payment of $1,400 per person. Through the end 2021, the IRS will send the payments to all eligible households.

Based on income, the IRS calculates check amounts and eligibility. Most payments are issued automatically by the IRS based on information from an upcoming tax return, or an online tool that is available for those who do not normally file one.

Some eligible individuals have not received payment yet. Other people who were able to get a second or first round of payments may believe they are qualified but could not because the criteria for receiving the third round is different.

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Scammers have been sending fake e-mails claiming to be from IRS. They claim that individuals will get the third Economic Impact Payment (or more) if they click on a link to get additional information or help applying. alertThe FTC published Wednesday.

Cristina Miranda (an official with the agency’s Division of Consumer and Business Education) stated that “but the link is a trick.” To commit identity theft, scammers might use the link to steal money and personal information.

This fraud involves criminals pretending to be government agents. pretendTo be from the Social Security Administration (IRS), Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (or any other government agency).

People are often threatened by con artists that they will be hurt or lose out on benefits if their financial or personal information is not shared with them. They may also refuse to pay in cash, gift cards or wire transfers.

FTC data shows that nearly 12,500 Americans filed fraud reports in connection to the Covid pandemic. The victims reported losing $17.6 millions.

“The IRS doesn’t initiate contact by email, text messages or social media channels to request personal or financial information — even information related to the Economic Impact Payments,” according to the tax agency. Be on the lookout for email attachments and links that claim to contain special information regarding Economic Impact payments or refunds.

The IRS should be visited by consumers websiteDirectly for reliable information according to FTC

The third round of payments for stimulus checks was automatically sent to most households based upon their 2020 tax returns. According to federal statistics, the IRS had issued 163.5 million payment amounts totaling $390 billion by June 3. data

The IRS stated that you don’t need to do anything except file your 2020 tax returns as quickly as possible. This will give the IRS enough time to issue the payment and process it before 2021 ends if applicable.

If a household is not required to file a return, they can sign up for the IRS Non Filer Sign-Up Tool. This tool is accessible from the IRS. Advance Child Tax Credit page. (They’d click the “Enter Information Here” button under Non-Filer, Submit Your Information heading. The tool is available to all household members, regardless of whether they have children.