KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A Sugar Creek, Missouri, couple is warning people still waiting for their stimulus payment not to fall for scams.
Wendy Jackson is one of many Americans still waiting for the COVID-19 Economic Impact Payment. Her husband, Richard said his wife decided to take action in finding out the status of the money.
"On her Google Voice, she said 'IRS,' and her phone pulled up some numbers and obviously she clicked on something that wasn't the IRS, but had an IRS symbol on it," Richard Jackson explained.
The husband explained his wife called a number and a man who said he was with the IRS led her on a process where her bank account was drained of $700.
Richard explained his wife is on disability and the money is needed to make ends-meet.
Jackson said she contacted her bank about getting her money back. She said the bank told her the account was frozen and attempts would be made to recover the money, but there are no guarantees.
The couple said the account has fraud protection and question how the alleged scammer was able to successfully take money out of the account.
"We feel they should've called and said are you doing this," the couple said.
A bank spokesperson said they're reviewing the reported incident.
Richard and Wendy are speaking out so other people don't fall victim to scammers.
The Federal Trade Commission advises taxpayers to go to IRS.gov/coronavirus and be on the lookout for impersonation calls, texts and email phishing attempts.
Federal authorities remind people the IRS will not call, email or text you to verify or request your financial, banking or personal information.
The Internal Revenue Service provided tips for taxpayers that scammers may ask in an effort to take your money.
Scammers may:
- Ask an individual to sign over their Economic Impact Payment check to them.
- Ask for verification of personal or banking information.
- Suggest that they can get someone tax refund or Economic Impact Payment faster by working on their behalf.
- Issue a bogus check, often in an odd amount, then tell a person to call a number or verify information online in order to cash it.
More information on the COVID-19 pandemic economic payments can be found on the IRS website.
