What You Need to Know About Stimulus Check Scams

Before you get too excited about another wave of stimulus checks

Billions of dollars in payments have been sent out in the form of stimulus checks. Over the last few weeks, there has been speculation that there may be another wave of stimulus checks going out. Whether there is another wave or not, IRS is urging people to be aware of stimulus check scams. Sharing information with anyone who is not the IRS may make you vulnerable to a breach in security.

You may be looking forward to receiving another stimulus check, or you may still be hunting down your original one, either way, keep your information safe. Here’s what you need to know about the risks behind your stimulus check:

IRS and Email

The IRS will NOT email you, nor will they include ANY of your personal information within an email. If you open an email from someone who is not IRS regarding your stimulus check, you may be opening up the window to fraud. The same goes for clicking links within emails and downloading any attachments. Those who think the IRS is going to email you regarding your Stimulus Check, it will not happen and if it does, someone is phishing. 

Malicious Domains and Scammers 

There are 40,000 high-risk domains related to COVID-19. Of those, 712 are related to stimulus packages. In the first weeks that stimulus checks were released, web domains regarding stimulus checks increased 3.5 times. Cybercriminals are using the anxiety and confusion surrounding when you will receive your check to gain your information. The only domain you should be using for any information regarding a stimulus check is the IRS official economic impact page. 

We understand you may be in need of stimulus money and you may be looking forward to the potential of another round. However, please do not risk your security in an effort to receive your payment quicker. The only trusted source you should use is the IRS.