IRS Warns Americans About Fake Relief Payment Scams Circulating Online
So lately, there’s been a lot of buzz online about supposed “IRS relief payments” or “stimulus checks” being sent out this November — but let’s clear the air right away: it’s not true. There are no new federal relief payments or stimulus checks scheduled for 2025. The Internal Revenue Service has confirmed that no such deposits are planned, and officials are urging everyone to stay alert for scams pretending otherwise.
The confusion started when viral social media posts claimed that Americans would be receiving direct deposits of around $1,700. These rumors quickly spread, with some people even sharing screenshots of fake IRS messages or deposit notifications. But when officials traced where the claims came from, it turned out they were mostly linked to Alaska’s Permanent Fund Dividend , which is a legitimate annual payment funded by the state’s oil and mineral revenues — not a federal stimulus check. So, while Alaskans may indeed be receiving that payment, it doesn’t apply to the rest of the country.
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Now, the last time Americans got a federal relief payment was back in 2021 , during the pandemic, when the $1,400 Recovery Rebate Credit was issued. The deadline to claim that credit officially closed on April 15, 2025 . Since then, there have been no new programs or federal authorizations for additional stimulus or IRS direct deposits.
Because of this confusion, scammers have been taking advantage — sending out fake texts, emails, or even letters that claim to come from the IRS or Treasury Department. These messages often ask people to “verify” their bank details, pay a small fee to “release the funds,” or click on suspicious links. Officials say these are all red flags . The real IRS never contacts taxpayers through unsolicited calls, texts, or emails about payments.
To stay safe, both the IRS and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) are urging Americans to follow a few simple rules: Only use the official IRS website for any tax-related information. Ignore unsolicited messages or phone calls about stimulus checks. And never pay anyone who promises to “speed up” or “process” your relief payment — it’s always free when legitimate.
They’re also reminding people about a common scam where fraudsters send fake checks and then ask victims to return a portion of the money. If that ever happens, it’s a scam — the check will bounce later, and you’ll be left footing the bill.
So, the bottom line is simple — no new IRS relief payments are coming this November or anytime soon , despite what you may see online. The safest move is to rely only on trusted sources like IRS.gov and to report any suspicious messages immediately. Staying informed is the best protection against falling for these increasingly convincing scams.
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