Taxpayers are being targeted by a resurgence of scams promising stimulus payments, the IRS warned this week. The fraudulent schemes, circulating throughout 2025 and continuing into 2026, falsely advertise payments of $1,390, aiming to steal banking information and personal data.
The IRS has repeatedly stated that no additional relief payments are scheduled for distribution in 2025 or 2026. The agency’s warnings reach as similar scams have persisted despite the expiration of eligibility for Recovery Rebate Credits related to the 2021 economic impact payments. The final deadline to claim those credits through a 2021 tax return was April 15, 2025, with no extensions granted.
Scammers are employing various tactics to deceive potential victims, including phishing emails, fraudulent social media posts impersonating the IRS, and text messages offering fake “tax credits” or “stimulus payments.” These messages typically direct recipients to click on malicious links disguised as official IRS websites. According to the IRS, the agency does not initiate contact with taxpayers via email or social media.
The IRS emphasized that it only sends text messages with a taxpayer’s explicit permission and only collects cell phone numbers or email addresses from those who subscribe to receive agency updates. Any unsolicited messages offering stimulus funds should be treated as fraudulent.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) advises individuals who believe they have been victims of identity theft related to stimulus payments or tax refunds to complete IRS Form 14039, the Identity Theft Affidavit. This form allows taxpayers to report both tax refund fraud and stimulus payment fraud.
Although President Donald Trump has proposed a $2,000 “dividend” funded by tariffs, the Tax Foundation estimated in November 2025 that such a proposal would cost between $279.8 billion and $606.8 billion. Tariff revenue projections for 2025 and 2026 fall significantly short of the funds required to cover these payments while simultaneously reducing the federal deficit, as Trump has claimed.
The IRS typically initiates contact with taxpayers through official letters or notices. Taxpayers can verify the authenticity of these communications by logging into their secure IRS Online Account, reviewing common IRS letters and notices available on the agency’s website, or contacting IRS customer service directly. Collection notices from private agencies contracted by the IRS should as well be verified against the Taxpayer Authentication Number found on the original Notice CP40 issued by the IRS.
IRS agents may call taxpayers to confirm appointments or discuss scheduled audits, but the agency does not depart pre-recorded, urgent, or threatening messages. Scammers often falsely threaten arrest warrants if victims do not immediately return their calls.
