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IRS Warns Hoosiers About Scams Involving Federal Coronavirus Relief Payments

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Federal officials are warning Hoosiers to watch out for scams related to COVID-19 – everything from fake charities to bogus stimulus checks.

IRS Special Agent In Charge Kathy Enstrom says she expects some of those scams to increase as federal relief money gets sent to Americans.

“The IRS will not call, email or send you a message through social media asking you to sign up or verify any information in order for you to receive the economic impact payment,” Enstrom says.

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Many people will get those payments directly into their bank accounts. But for those who will get paper checks from the IRS, Enstrom says to watch out for fakes.

“So, if you receive a check in the mail that requires you to verify the check online or by calling a number, it’s a fraud,” Enstrom says.

Enstrom says there’s also no way for anyone to speed up their relief payment or get more than the $1,200 per person provided by the federal CARES Act.

Contact Brandon at bsmith@ipbs.org or follow him on Twitter at @brandonjsmith5.

This is a rapidly evolving story, and we are working hard to bring you the most up-to-date information. However, we recommend checking the websites of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the Indiana State Department of Health for the most recent numbers of COVID-19 cases.

Brandon Smith is excited to be working for public radio in Indiana. He has previously worked in public radio as a reporter and anchor in mid-Missouri for KBIA Radio out of Columbia. Prior to that, he worked for WSPY Radio in Plano, Illinois as a show host, reporter, producer and anchor. His first job in radio was in another state capitol, in Jefferson City, Missouri, as a reporter for three radio stations around Missouri. Brandon graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a Bachelor of Journalism in 2010, with minors in political science and history. He was born and raised in Chicago.