Will IRS relief payments hit in November? Here’s the truth
Social media platforms continue buzzing with claims that Americans will soon see relief payments from the Internal Revenue Service deposited into their bank accounts, but federal officials are setting the record straight while urging caution against increasingly sophisticated financial scams.
The persistent rumors suggest payments could arrive as early as November or before the end of the year, prompting many Americans to check their bank accounts expectantly. However, the reality tells a very different story that consumers need to understand before falling victim to fraudulent schemes.
The truth about federal relief payments
No additional federal stimulus payments are scheduled for 2025. The last legitimate relief payment distributed by the federal government was the $1,400 Recovery Rebate Credit from 2021, part of the American Rescue Plan enacted during the COVID-19 pandemic. That program concluded with a final claim deadline of April 15, 2025, meaning even those who qualified but hadn’t yet received their payments can no longer submit claims.
The complete absence of any official announcements, legislative proposals or authorized federal programs makes the circulating rumors entirely baseless. No bills have passed Congress authorizing new stimulus payments, and no executive actions have created additional relief programs for 2025.
Where the confusion originated
The current wave of misinformation appears rooted in October when viral social media posts claimed a $1,702 stimulus payment was imminent. Those posts generated millions of views and shares across various platforms, creating widespread confusion about potential federal assistance.
Investigation into these claims revealed they likely referenced Alaska’s Permanent Fund Dividend, an annual payment made to eligible state residents from revenues generated by mineral extraction. This state-level program has no connection to federal relief efforts and only benefits Alaska residents who meet specific residency requirements.
The conflation of state programs with federal initiatives demonstrates how easily misinformation spreads online, particularly when people hope for financial assistance during challenging economic times. Bad actors have capitalized on this confusion to launch increasingly elaborate scam operations.
The growing threat of payment scams
Federal officials have expressed serious concern about the proliferation of fake IRS communications and payment scams that exploit these rumors. Scammers have become remarkably sophisticated in creating messages, websites and phone interactions that appear legitimate, tricking unsuspecting Americans into sharing sensitive personal information.
These fraudulent schemes take various forms. Some involve emails or text messages claiming to be from the IRS, requesting account information or Social Security numbers to process stimulus payments. Others include phone calls from individuals impersonating IRS agents, using threatening language to pressure victims into immediate action.
Particularly insidious are fake check scams where victims receive what appears to be a legitimate stimulus payment check. After depositing the check, scammers contact the victim claiming an error occurred and demanding return of the funds, often through wire transfer or gift cards. By the time victims discover the original check was fraudulent, they’ve already sent real money to criminals.
Protecting yourself from fraud
The IRS maintains clear guidelines for how it communicates with taxpayers. The agency never initiates contact about payments or refunds through email, text message or social media. All legitimate communication begins with postal mail sent to the address on file with the agency.
Americans should exclusively use the official IRS website when needing to submit information or check payment status. Responding to unsolicited messages claiming to be from the IRS, regardless of how authentic they appear, puts personal information at risk.
No legitimate stimulus payment requires upfront fees or processing charges. Any message requesting payment to receive relief funds is definitively fraudulent. The IRS processes all authorized payments automatically based on tax return information already on file.
Reporting suspicious activity
The IRS encourages reporting all suspicious communications claiming to be from the agency or Treasury Department. This includes emails, text messages, social media accounts, phone calls and physical letters. Reporting these incidents helps federal authorities identify patterns, track down perpetrators and shut down scam operations before they victimize additional people.
The Federal Trade Commission provides resources for consumers who believe they’ve been targeted by stimulus payment scams. These resources include step-by-step guidance on protecting compromised accounts, reporting identity theft and recovering from financial fraud.
While the absence of new stimulus payments may disappoint Americans hoping for additional assistance, understanding the truth protects against financial criminals seeking to exploit desperation and confusion. Staying informed about official federal programs and maintaining skepticism toward unsolicited payment claims remains the best defense against increasingly sophisticated scam attempts.
Source: FOX 5 Atlanta
