Consumer

IRS: Some Stimulus Checks Hit Wrong Bank Accounts

NEW YORK (CBS4) ― Tell us: has your IRS Stimulus Check Been Mis-Directed?

Uncle Sam wants you to e-file your taxes, get your refund deposited directly into your bank account, and let the IRS electronically send you your federal economic stimulus check. You'd think they could zap your money in the right bank account, but according to a report in New York Newsday, the feds are apparently e-delivering the dollars into the wrong bank accounts.

"We do know of instances of problems; we've heard of situations where stimulus checks have gone to the wrong people's bank accounts," Kevin McKeon, the Internal Revenue Service spokesman for the New York region, admitted to the newspaper. "We're getting a lot of calls to the toll-free number."

Taxpayers have been quoted as saying they had received payments intended for other people, or had learned their stimulus payment had ended up in someone else's account.

The IRS, which is administering the so-called rebate program for the government, could not immediately explain how the mistakes are being made.

"Overall, the vast majority of stimulus payments are going out timely and accurately to taxpayers," the IRS said in a statement issued in response to questions from Newsday. "To date more than 29 million stimulus payments totaling more than $27 billion have been issued.

"As taxpayers contact us with questions regarding the amount or the timing of their own stimulus payment, the IRS is providing answers and resolving taxpayer-specific issues."
The IRS said taxpayers with rebate problems can call the toll-free service Refund Hotline at 800-829-1954, but noted that if the issue is with a problem involving a deposit, taxpayers must contact their bank directly.

The IRS also pointed out that even if it made a mistake, if you receive money in your bank account to which you are not entitled, the IRS will demand re-payment if you spend it.