IRS Sends 15,000 Stimulus Checks To The Wrong Bank Accounts - Consumerist Comments

IRS Sends 15,000 Stimulus Checks To The Wrong Bank Accounts

biff151 — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 07:42:23 EDT

What should you do if you receive 2 checks?

biff151

IRS Sends 15,000 Stimulus Checks To The Wrong Bank Accounts

Jbball — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 16:44:46 EDT

No bad out of the millions of checks/transfers they're doing.

Jbball

IRS Sends 15,000 Stimulus Checks To The Wrong Bank Accounts

pete7919 — Mon, 19 May 2008 15:18:01 EDT

Can anyone point to the IRS website where it talks about stimulus payments for those of us who didn't receive refunds but made payments for our taxes this year? I see the comment above and a couple others that didn't receive the direct deposit they were expecting, but I cannot find anything on the IRS website that says we will be getting paper checks for sure.

pete7919

IRS Sends 15,000 Stimulus Checks To The Wrong Bank Accounts

luludc — Mon, 19 May 2008 12:16:26 EDT

@Novaload: if you had to pay taxes (like i did), then you're getting a paper check because they supposedly don't have your account information. ick, right? the IRS was happy enough to use that MIA account info to dip in for their payment on april 15.

so now i'm on standby until july. double ick.

luludc

IRS Sends 15,000 Stimulus Checks To The Wrong Bank Accounts

thomas_callahan — Mon, 19 May 2008 10:26:04 EDT

Mine should have gotten to my bank Friday according to the schedule -- I figured maybe it won't show up in the account until next business day but still nothing this morning. I filed electronically, on time, direct debited my payment (owed a little). I didn't do a RAL, paid TurboTax separately -- none of the things they say will delay things. Using my SSN and # of exemptions as shown in Turbo Tax the IRS web site has no info.

Maybe they're mailing a check because I owed and haven't specifically authorized them to deposit anything to my account (although you'd think since I authorized them to debit they could just assume a deposit would be OK)?

The $$ would really have come in handy today too -- now I'm going to have to tap my LOC to pay a major bill then pay it back whenever the rebate comes through. So if they mail a check the week of July 4 by the time it gets here and clears my account (which I'm sure will take the maximum amount of time possible since it's a large, out of state check) I'll have paid $10-15 in interest.

Guess my bank's the one getting stimulated...

thomas_callahan

IRS Sends 15,000 Stimulus Checks To The Wrong Bank Accounts

Illiterati — Sun, 18 May 2008 14:40:48 EDT

Here's the IRS "Where's My Refund" page:
[www.irs.gov]

Threw me a "no information" message even though the money should've gone out with the first batch. Supposedly getting $1,200, but we'll see if it ever arrives. (Not that I would've opted into this whole scheme if given a choice, but that's another thread.)

Illiterati

IRS Sends 15,000 Stimulus Checks To The Wrong Bank Accounts

Rusted — Sun, 18 May 2008 14:36:54 EDT

Been stimulating everyone else's economy but no check in box.

Rusted

IRS Sends 15,000 Stimulus Checks To The Wrong Bank Accounts

verucalise — Sun, 18 May 2008 10:21:09 EDT

Yeah.... I know about 5 people, including yours trully, that hasn't seen SHIT.

verucalise

IRS Sends 15,000 Stimulus Checks To The Wrong Bank Accounts

detraya — Sun, 18 May 2008 09:42:39 EDT

i'm still waiting on mine.. should have been here the 16th

detraya

IRS Sends 15,000 Stimulus Checks To The Wrong Bank Accounts

NotATool — Sun, 18 May 2008 01:09:12 EDT

Got my stimulus check on time last week.

Too bad my car chose to break down repeatedly.

Looks like my stimulus is going to end up back in the local economy, just like W wanted.

NotATool

IRS Sends 15,000 Stimulus Checks To The Wrong Bank Accounts

wearly1977 — Sat, 17 May 2008 23:33:04 EDT

My SS end in 99 and I should have gotten mine 5/16 but nothing.. screw the IRS

wearly1977

IRS Sends 15,000 Stimulus Checks To The Wrong Bank Accounts

heavylee-again — Sat, 17 May 2008 23:32:15 EDT

@B:
FTFA:
He said a review of his bank records revealed that it was a deposit from the IRS bearing another taxpayer's Social Security number.

heavylee-again

IRS Sends 15,000 Stimulus Checks To The Wrong Bank Accounts

Sat, 17 May 2008 23:03:12 EDT

@heavylee-again: There's no SSN in the deposit notes. So how would I know if the $600 that was deposited in my account is really mine or somebody else's? Now, if I got two, then I would know something strange is happening.

IRS Sends 15,000 Stimulus Checks To The Wrong Bank Accounts

planetdaddy — Sat, 17 May 2008 21:30:55 EDT

Got my stimulus check last week. Direct deposited no problems.

planetdaddy

IRS Sends 15,000 Stimulus Checks To The Wrong Bank Accounts

antivisitor — Sat, 17 May 2008 19:28:12 EDT

"Computer programming glitch" always means "programmer's oversight." Sucks to be that guy, but still.

antivisitor

IRS Sends 15,000 Stimulus Checks To The Wrong Bank Accounts

tahamaki — Sat, 17 May 2008 19:09:24 EDT

I'm guessing mine went to someone else too. It should have been DD'd "no later than May 9" according to the IRS, but unfortunately, those idiots don't even appear to have sent mine yet.

tahamaki

IRS Sends 15,000 Stimulus Checks To The Wrong Bank Accounts

NovaloadMissesPolar — Sat, 17 May 2008 18:58:51 EDT

If you go to the IRS web site, and hunt around, you can log in for a status report, based on your SSN, filing status (married jointly etc) and # of dependents/people deductions. I got "no information" and the note that the info is only a week into the future. We should have already gotten ours based on our SSN and direct deposit history and no bank or other changes, but nothing yet and no info. I may be calling them too. We had to pay a slight amount this year, around $30, first time in ages, but I don't think that would have changed anything.
There really isn't much info on the process provided by the IRS anywhere.

NovaloadMissesPolar

IRS Sends 15,000 Stimulus Checks To The Wrong Bank Accounts

blkhrt1 — Sat, 17 May 2008 18:46:32 EDT

The thing that gets me is that, you may have used TurboTax to get what's called a "RAL" or "Refund Anticipation Loan". TurboTax uses Santa Barbara Bank & Trust for their processing. Since the IRS doesn't have YOUR account information, just the one at SBBT, you get paper checks. Which basically means, I'm not getting one until August...if I'm lucky. IRS FTW.

blkhrt1

IRS Sends 15,000 Stimulus Checks To The Wrong Bank Accounts

ambimom — Sat, 17 May 2008 18:30:52 EDT

I am still waiting for my stimulus check....I guess mine went to someone else.

ambimom

IRS Sends 15,000 Stimulus Checks To The Wrong Bank Accounts

puka_pai — Sat, 17 May 2008 15:06:20 EDT

I wouldn't report it. Don't spend it, but let them come after it to fix it. Otherwise, like MRsteve says, you may end up having it taken out twice. And then it will take months before the IRS fixes it -- your bank will pass the buck to them, most likely.

puka_pai

IRS Sends 15,000 Stimulus Checks To The Wrong Bank Accounts

datruesurfer — Sat, 17 May 2008 14:55:43 EDT

One word: FAIL

datruesurfer

IRS Sends 15,000 Stimulus Checks To The Wrong Bank Accounts

MRsteve — Sat, 17 May 2008 14:50:43 EDT

If you do get someone else's funds and report it to your bank, also be sure to watch your account closely. The money may come out a second time down the road because they may not have accounted for you reporting it the first time.

MRsteve

IRS Sends 15,000 Stimulus Checks To The Wrong Bank Accounts

squikysquiken — Sat, 17 May 2008 14:50:41 EDT

@_Puck: It's because the IRS only has the dummy account information of the bank that processed your advance and forwarded your refund. The IRS doesn't have your own bank account information. It works that way: Bank X opens a dummy account, and Turbo Tax instruct the IRS to direct deposit there. Bank X pays TurboTax $60. When the direct deposit comes along, they forward it to you keeping $60 + their fee and close the account.

Blame bank X and turbotax for that crap. They don't disclose shit and just blame the IRS because it's easier.

Also, you got robbed using that service. The bank that offers this service through Intuit charges something like $30 to basically advance you $60 (TurboTax fee) for one or two week.

squikysquiken

IRS Sends 15,000 Stimulus Checks To The Wrong Bank Accounts

m4ximusprim3 — Sat, 17 May 2008 14:22:30 EDT

@heavylee-again: me too. hopefully my money and SSN didn't land in someone elses bank account. Cause you know uncle sam doesn't give a shit.

m4ximusprim3

IRS Sends 15,000 Stimulus Checks To The Wrong Bank Accounts

MumbletyEmma — Sat, 17 May 2008 13:07:20 EDT

@heavylee-again:

I think there's a lot of ignorance regarding the way in which these stimulus checks work, unfortunately. Many people don't realize that they may not receive the full amount. I've read other accounts on the internet from people who were planning on paying rent with the $600--- only to discover they received $400 based upon what they paid. Many are expecting more. So: if more mysteriously disappeared in a bank account, I'm sure some wouldn't chalk it up to a mistake so much as just "oh, extra money- OK!"

Not that ignorance spares them any ridicule, but I don't think it's necessarily that they've received the money, knew what had happened, and still didn't care.

MumbletyEmma

IRS Sends 15,000 Stimulus Checks To The Wrong Bank Accounts

heavylee-again — Sat, 17 May 2008 12:15:31 EDT

@agb2000: So if $600-$1200 mysteriously appeared in one's bank account, with someone else's SSN on the deposit's notes, this wouldn't throw a flag in a rational person's mind?

Jerk? nah. Unsympathetic? absolutely.

heavylee-again

IRS Sends 15,000 Stimulus Checks To The Wrong Bank Accounts

rickhamilton620 — Sat, 17 May 2008 12:12:00 EDT

Wow, that sucks but then again are we really that surprised? It is after all, the IRS.

I'm sorry but that is a kickass mailbox. :P

rickhamilton620

IRS Sends 15,000 Stimulus Checks To The Wrong Bank Accounts

looney82 — Sat, 17 May 2008 12:11:39 EDT

@myotheralt: see, that's why you do the smart thing and stay in the military until retirement. or until you get killed on your 3rd or 4th deployment. that way you don't have to use your stimulus check for 1st months rent. who needs a new place when they're busy being deployed? thank god i just re-upped for another 6 years. (by the way, i do really love my job, but sometimes you just can't stand the army....)

looney82

IRS Sends 15,000 Stimulus Checks To The Wrong Bank Accounts

hellinmyeyes — Sat, 17 May 2008 12:09:45 EDT

I didn't get mines either. I figure maybe they'll mail me a check, but it said on their Web site essentially don't call them unless it's been missing for more than one month. I may call them anyway. I just have a feeling they're getting a LOT of calls from not-so-knowledgeable types with all sorts of bizarre questions.

hellinmyeyes

IRS Sends 15,000 Stimulus Checks To The Wrong Bank Accounts

fjordtjie — Sat, 17 May 2008 11:48:16 EDT

...and that's why you shouldn't trust the government with money!

fjordtjie

IRS Sends 15,000 Stimulus Checks To The Wrong Bank Accounts

katra — Sat, 17 May 2008 11:18:13 EDT

Is anyone actually surprised? When I first heard that the stimulus checks would be rolling out earlier than expected due to a new computer system, all I could do was ask: "Now? They really think now is the time to test drive their new system?"

katra

IRS Sends 15,000 Stimulus Checks To The Wrong Bank Accounts

dragonfire81 — Sat, 17 May 2008 11:08:35 EDT

"...accidentally stimulated"

For some reason that really made me laugh, like a term that would refer to a bedroom disaster of epic proportions.

dragonfire81

IRS Sends 15,000 Stimulus Checks To The Wrong Bank Accounts

azntg — Sat, 17 May 2008 10:51:15 EDT

If we experienced a "computer programming glitch" while sending money to the IRS, we get slapped with penalties and a nominal interest, if not more if you were previously delinquent.

The IRS experiences a "computer programming glitch" while sending money to us, it's an "Eh... just wait another two months while we print out the paper checks." The government really hates competition, doesn't it?

azntg

IRS Sends 15,000 Stimulus Checks To The Wrong Bank Accounts

crabbyman6 — Sat, 17 May 2008 10:39:22 EDT

So wait, this money is not only being deposited in the wrong person's account, but bears the other person's social security number? Insult + Injury = IRS

@_Puck: hmmm, that's interesting, I did the same thing and haven't gotten my rebate back yet but didn't receive an email. Thanks for the info!

crabbyman6

IRS Sends 15,000 Stimulus Checks To The Wrong Bank Accounts

littlemoose — Sat, 17 May 2008 10:39:11 EDT

I haz a mailbox... but iz not bukkit... nooooooo!

littlemoose

IRS Sends 15,000 Stimulus Checks To The Wrong Bank Accounts

hillsrovey — Sat, 17 May 2008 10:35:10 EDT

@iambeaker:
Try calling their rebate check hotline on Monday (I know I will!)....

866-234-2942
800-829-1954

hillsrovey

IRS Sends 15,000 Stimulus Checks To The Wrong Bank Accounts

agb2000 — Sat, 17 May 2008 10:28:50 EDT

@heavylee-again: What about the phrase "by accident" in dohtem's comment means knowingly spending other people's money? You're an unsympathetic jerk.

agb2000

IRS Sends 15,000 Stimulus Checks To The Wrong Bank Accounts

_Puck — Sat, 17 May 2008 10:24:15 EDT

I received an email yesterday from TurboTax telling me why my rebate wasn't direct deposited last week as I anticipated. When I did my taxes, I opted to have the processing fees deducted from the total refund so I didn't have to pay anything at that time.

For some reason due to that, the IRS is not direct depositing anyone would had those processing fees deducted and instead is sending paper checks.

_Puck

IRS Sends 15,000 Stimulus Checks To The Wrong Bank Accounts

HooFoot — Sat, 17 May 2008 10:16:32 EDT

My father asked me why I didn't sign up for direct deposit on my tax return. I told him that I didn't trust the IRS enough not to screw something up with my bank account.

Glad I opted for the paper check.

HooFoot

IRS Sends 15,000 Stimulus Checks To The Wrong Bank Accounts

iambeaker — Sat, 17 May 2008 10:14:20 EDT

Does anybody know what to do if they have not recieved their stimulus check? I checked IRS.gov and there is nothing their in the FAQ's.... Thanks!!!!

iambeaker

IRS Sends 15,000 Stimulus Checks To The Wrong Bank Accounts

heavylee-again — Sat, 17 May 2008 10:02:32 EDT

@dohtem: You feel sorry for people who spent 'free' money, that they weren't expecting, and knew that it rightfully didn't belong to them?

heavylee-again

IRS Sends 15,000 Stimulus Checks To The Wrong Bank Accounts

Papa Midnight — Sat, 17 May 2008 09:59:22 EDT

@NigerianScammer: Immediately...

Papa Midnight

IRS Sends 15,000 Stimulus Checks To The Wrong Bank Accounts

dohtem — Sat, 17 May 2008 09:55:19 EDT

I feel sorry for those that actually the spend money the get by accident.

dohtem

IRS Sends 15,000 Stimulus Checks To The Wrong Bank Accounts

heavylee-again — Sat, 17 May 2008 09:48:55 EDT

According to the IRS' schedule, I should have gotten my stimulus money direct-deposited no later than yesterday. I haven't gotten my money (or someone else's).

heavylee-again

IRS Sends 15,000 Stimulus Checks To The Wrong Bank Accounts

myotheralt — Sat, 17 May 2008 09:46:47 EDT

The IRS took my tax return AND the economic stimulus checks and started paying off bills with them. $450 to the Star card (like a target credit card but for military shopping malls) and about $1100 to correct a $2000 over payment on my GI bill.

I was going to use the money to get something I really needed, like 1st months rent while I get a new job!

myotheralt

IRS Sends 15,000 Stimulus Checks To The Wrong Bank Accounts

MaxSmart32 — Sat, 17 May 2008 09:15:22 EDT

This is close to what happened to me - I opened my account in Florida originally, and now live in Rhode Island. The IRS sent my check to an account with a Florida Routing number and a Rhode Island account number, which, oops, too bad, doesn't exsist because my account has a RHODE ISLAND Routing number...

Three hours on the phone with the IRS and BoA later, I find out that I have to wait for a paper check...

Talk about aggrivation!

MaxSmart32

IRS Sends 15,000 Stimulus Checks To The Wrong Bank Accounts

NigerianScammer — Sat, 17 May 2008 09:11:47 EDT

I'll be checking my bank account now..

NigerianScammer

IRS Sends 15,000 Stimulus Checks To The Wrong Bank Accounts

SEARCH ENGINES — Sat, 17 May 2008 08:55:38 EDT

IRS = Internal Revenue Sucks

SEARCH ENGINES