Stimulus checks sent to someone else's bank

[JTrees]

Please allow me to clarify as I've looked through a couple similar questions. Personally NEVER entered in any banking info for my income, income tax, or IRS Stimulus claim. I got ONE check and someone wanted to cash it for me in her account. I didn't have a vehicle and I accepted the offer. all follow-up talk of stimulus was hearsay to me, because I was never mailed any other check. I found out much more recently that a follow up Stimulus check (or two???) were randomly deposited into her sons bank account??? Which is why I never received follow up checks? I have no legal bindings to these people, nor know their banking #s at all that even merit that?

I have attempted emails in the past to no avail I could find. is worthwhile to call the IRS's toll-free line? or is there a more fool-proof contact method for this particular issue?

I was moved right before, and have not been employed since CoVid19 hit. I've had therefore no w2s,1040, or the like to claim any income tax refunds since 2019-2020. I have been attempting to get reemployed, and in reality I only need ~$20 online to get some effecting mobility/transportation assistance in advance to ensure my commute is smooth without interventions and to avoid  more employers removing me from consideration. I am lucky to even have shelter from being considered homeless, so I have no assistance for my goal. Making it my primary reason for seeking out this option. Thank you for consideration in advance to your advice(s).

[xmasbaby0 · Accepted solution]

Very sorry for your situation.  You have a number of issues that we cannot help with here.   First---it is too late to get refunds for any tax returns for tax years earlier than 2021.   Any refunds for 2019 or 2020 have been forfeited if you did not file returns by the deadlines.   

Using someone else's bank account for your money is never a good idea---as you have seen, too much can go wrong.   

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1901159-can-i-deposit-my-tax-refund-into-someone-else-s-account

We can give you information about the stimulus checks---it will be up to you to follow up on that information.

Your eligibility for the stimulus money—-now available as the recovery rebate credit— will depend on your circumstances in 2020 and/or 2021.   If you could be claimed as someone else’s dependent in 2020 or 2021, you are not eligible for the recovery rebate credit now.

 The first stimulus checks were issued in 2020; the first one was for $1200 for adults and $500 for qualified children dependents under the age of 17.   The IRS was in a hurry to send out those checks so they sometimes used information from your 2019 return to send out the check.  Or sometimes they sent it after you filed your 2020 return.

The second stimulus was sent in late 2020 or early 2021; that one was $600 per adult and $600 for qualified children dependents under the age of 17.

The 3rd stimulus check was $1400 for adults and $1400 for any dependent you claimed, and was sent out in 2021.

If you did not receive the first or second stimulus check,—Sorry—it is too late.  The deadline to file a 2020 tax return and get that credit was May 17, 2024.  

If you did not receive the 3rd stimulus check, you can get it by filing a 2021 tax return and use the recovery rebate credit in Federal Review.    The stimulus amount will show up on line 30 of the Form 1040.

Check your own bank account for deposits of the stimulus checks, and check your online account with the IRS to see what the IRS shows they sent to you.

Try checking your online account with the IRS (and if you filed a joint return—check for BOTH of you)

https://www.irs.gov/payments/your-online-account

If you need to trace a payment that the IRS says has been issued to you, mail or fax a completed IRS Form 3911, Taxpayer Statement Regarding Refund.

Call the IRS: 1-800-829-1040 hours 7 AM - 7 PM local time Monday-Friday
When calling the IRS do NOT choose the first option re: "Refund", or it will send you to an automated phone line.
So after first choosing your language, then do NOT choose Option 1 (refund info). Choose option 2 for "personal income tax" instead.
Then press 1 for "form, tax history, or payment".
Then press 3 "for all other questions."
Then press 2 "for all other questions."
- When it asks you to enter your SSN or EIN to access your account information, don't enter anything.
- After it asks twice, you will get another menu.

Press 2 for personal or individual tax questions.
Then press 3 for all other inquiries
It should then transfer you to an agent.

[xmasbaby0]

It sounds like you suspect your "friend's" son diverted your stimulus check(s) to his account.   

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1900655-what-to-do-if-you-suspect-tax-related-identity-theft

Most important) Follow the IRS procedures for reporting a fraudulent return, documented here: www.irs.gov/uac/Taxpayer-Guide-to-Identity-Theft

IRS INFORMATION REFERRAL TO REPORT VIOLATION OF TAX LAW

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f3949a.pdf

If your Social Security number is compromised and you know or suspect you are a victim of tax-related identity theft, take these additional steps:

• Respond immediately to any IRS notice; call the number provided.
• Complete IRS Form 14039, Identity Theft Affidavit. Then print and mail or fax according to the instructions. 
• Continue to pay your taxes and file your tax return, even if you must do so by paper.

6-digit IP NUMBER FROM IRS

https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USIRS/bulletins/2af48f0?reqfrom=share

to get you new PIN from the IRS

- https://www.irs.gov/identity-theft-fraud-scams/retrieve-your-ip-pin

https://www.irs.gov/identity-theft-fraud-scams/get-an-identity-protection-pin

[JTrees]

That's the thing, I NEVER put anyone's bank account to my taxes, period. I was 19-20, not been anyone's dependent since I turned 18, and have never had a bank account. I always took pay by check. Site claim back then, I set it to that they were supposed to send any potential follow-up via mail like the first. I know I received the first one. The follow one(s) after I took as only article attention grabs, til I was told recently that her son's account received stimulus checks in my name. Which made no sense to me.  I have never routed anyone to myself or the original IRS claim, and having one checked in cash and my options set to mailed check delivery. 

I never even knew of it until it slipped up in recent conversation that he received deposited in my name for stimulus. Whenever I try to follow up for information they cold-fish on the topic and refuse to show me anything. What I do know is that the son has not been officially employed ever, so there's no sensible way that he would have been getting any stimulus at all. They shouldn't know any of my legal information to have rerouted anything, either. But clearly if what they accidentally revealed is true, something is wrong. 

Thank you for the information about 2/3. I'm trying to sign back into ID.me for the IRS site, and I'll be going ahead and using your advice for the toll-free line. For the record, you're saying I shouldn't trust my SSN even to the IRS? Thank you so much, so far. 

[xmasbaby0]

No----I did not say you should not trust your SSN to the IRS.   Not sure what made you think that.   You will have to provide your SSN to the IRS.    Best of luck.

[JTrees]

Okay, just checking. Thanks again

Spoiler

this bit in your instructions is why I was worried

Spoiler

 When it asks you to enter your SSN or EIN to access your account information, don't enter anything.
- After it asks twice, you will get another menu.

Press 2 for personal or individual tax questions.