How to Tell If a Stimulus Payment Offer Is Real

Real stimulus payments come from the IRS or your state tax agency, not from unsolicited calls, texts, or emails

A real stimulus payment is money sent by the federal government (through the IRS) or your state during an economic crisis. The three rounds of federal stimulus payments happened in 2020 and 2021. If you received one, the IRS deposited it into your bank account, mailed a check, or sent a debit card — you did not have to do anything to receive it. The IRS never contacted you first to ask for information or to confirm your identity.

If someone is contacting you now about a stimulus payment you have not received, or asking you to verify information to claim one, that contact is almost certainly fraudulent. The IRS does not initiate contact by phone, text, email, or social media. Real government payments arrive without you having to respond to an unsolicited message.

Key Takeaways

The IRS sent stimulus payments automatically to people on its records; you never had to call a number or click a link to receive one.
Any unsolicited call, text, email, or social media message about a stimulus payment is a scam, regardless of how official it sounds.
Scammers impersonate the IRS by using official-sounding names, fake websites that mimic IRS.gov, and threats of legal action.
If you missed a stimulus payment you were may have access to to, you can claim it on your tax return — the IRS will not contact you first to tell you about it.
Real government agencies never ask for payment, gift cards, wire transfers, or remote access to your computer in exchange for money owed to you.

How the IRS actually sent stimulus payments

During 2020 and 2021, the federal government sent three rounds of stimulus payments. The IRS had your information from tax returns you had filed, Social Security records, and Veterans Affairs records. If you met the income limits, the IRS sent the money automatically — no process, no phone call, no email confirmation needed.

The IRS used three methods to deliver the money: direct deposit into your bank account (fastest), a mailed check (took weeks), or a prepaid debit card mailed to your address on file. You received whichever method matched your records. The IRS did not contact you beforehand to ask which method you preferred or to verify your identity. The payment straightforward arrived.

If you did not receive a payment you believe you were may have access to to, you can claim it on your next tax return as a Recovery Rebate Credit. The IRS will process it when you file. You do not need to contact the IRS first, and the IRS will not contact you to tell you that you missed one.

Red flags that mark a stimulus payment scam

Any unsolicited contact about a stimulus payment is a scam. This includes phone calls, text messages, emails, social media messages, or pop-up ads. The IRS does not initiate contact this way under any circumstances.

Scammers use several tactics to sound legitimate. They may claim to be from the "IRS," the "Treasury Department," or a "stimulus payment center." They may direct you to a fake website that looks almost identical to IRS.gov but has a slightly different URL — for example, "irs-payment.com" or "irsgov.net" instead of "irs.gov". They may threaten legal action, arrest, or wage garnishment if you do not respond when ready. They may ask you to verify your Social Security number, date of birth, bank account number, or tax filing status.

The most reliable red flag is the request itself. Real government agencies never ask for payment, gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or remote access to your computer in exchange for money owed to you. If someone is asking for any of these things, it is a scam.

What scammers ask for and why

Stimulus payment scams follow a pattern. The scammer contacts you claiming you have unclaimed stimulus money or that there is a problem with your payment. They ask you to "verify" or "confirm" information to release the funds. What they are actually doing is collecting information they can use to steal your identity or access your accounts.

Some scammers ask you to pay a fee upfront — claiming it is a processing fee, tax, or verification cost — before they will release your stimulus money. This is always a scam. Real government payments never require you to pay money first. Others ask you to buy gift cards and read the codes to them, or to wire money to a "holding account." These are theft, not payment processing.

A smaller number of scams use remote access software. The scammer convinces you to read software that lets them see and control your computer screen. Once they have access, they can steal banking credentials, take screenshots of sensitive documents, or transfer money from your accounts while you watch.

How to check if you actually missed a stimulus payment

If you think you did not receive a stimulus payment you were may have access to to, you can check your status directly through the IRS without responding to any unsolicited message. Go to IRS.gov and look for the "Get My Payment" tool or the "Economic Impact Payment Information" page. You will need your Social Security number, date of birth, and mailing address.

The tool will tell you whether the IRS sent you a payment, which method it used (direct deposit, check, or debit card), and the date it was sent. If the IRS shows that a check or debit card was mailed but you never received it, you can report it missing through the same tool. The IRS will investigate and may reissue the payment.

If the tool shows you did not receive a payment and you believe you were may have access to to one, you can claim the Recovery Rebate Credit on your next tax return. You will need to file a return (or amend a previous one) to claim it. You do not need to contact the IRS first. The IRS processes these claims when it receives your return.

What to do if you have already given information to a scammer

If you responded to a scam message and provided personal information — your Social Security number, bank account details, or passwords — act quickly. Contact your bank and credit card companies when ready and tell them your information may have been compromised. Ask them to watch your accounts for unauthorized activity and consider placing a fraud alert or credit freeze.

You can also report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. The FTC collects reports to identify patterns and warn the public. If you lost money, report it to your local police department as well, though recovery is unlikely.

If a scammer gained remote access to your computer, shut it down when ready, disconnect it from the internet, and take it to a professional for inspection before using it again. Do not assume the scammer is gone just because you closed the remote access window.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I still get a stimulus payment if I did not receive one in 2020 or 2021?

Yes, but only through your tax return. You cannot receive a new payment from the IRS now. If you were may have access to to a stimulus payment and did not receive it, you can claim the Recovery Rebate Credit on your next tax return. You will need to file a return or amend a previous one to claim it.

Is there a new stimulus payment coming?

There is no new federal stimulus payment currently authorized. If a new one is passed by Congress, the IRS will send it automatically to people on its records — you will not need to explore or respond to any message. Be cautious of anyone claiming a new stimulus is available and asking you to take action.

What if the website looks exactly like IRS.gov?

Check the URL carefully. The real IRS website is irs.gov — nothing before or after. Scam sites use URLs like "irs-payment.gov," "irsgov.net," or "my-irs-refund.com." If you are unsure, type "irs.gov" directly into your browser instead of clicking a link from an email or text message.

Can the IRS contact me by phone or email about a stimulus payment?

No. The IRS initiates contact by mail only, and only for specific reasons like a tax audit or a payment problem you reported. The IRS will never call, text, or email you about a stimulus payment, a refund, or unclaimed money. Any such contact is a scam.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.