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From July 15 through December 2021, if you qualify for payments through the American Rescue Plan
Act, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced it is sending monthly payments by direct deposit, paper check or through debit cards.

These payments are an advance on the child tax credit, which means eligible people will get up to half of their child tax credit in these monthly payments and the other half when they file their 2021 taxes. You can go to IRS.gov to see who qualifies, how much you may receive, and how to address any problems. You will also have the option of unenrolling from the Advance payments program.

According to the Federal Trade Commission, when it comes to the government being in the news, the scammers will likely use their standard playbook, meaning impostor scams may appear, with con artists pretending to “help” you get your payments earlier, get more money or commit identity theft.

BBB and the FTC share these tips:

● Avoid Impostor scams – Government agencies like the IRS or Social Security Administration will not call, text, DM or email you.

● Do not give out any personal information, like social security numbers, bank account information or credit/debit card numbers.

● Eligibility requirements and payment disbursements are monitored by the IRS only.

● When someone is requiring payments by gift card, wire transfers or cryptocurrency, it is likely a scam.