The new $1.9 trillion rescue plan introduced by President Joe Biden may include $1,400 in direct payment to Americans, in addition to the previous $600 payment that started to be distributed in December. Around $465 billion of Biden’s $1.9 trillion plan is earmarked to go directly to Americans’ bank accounts.

Scammers are using news of the second stimulus payment to try to steal people’s money and personal information. 

Published reports note the Better Business Bureau has already received reports from people contacted through text message, email and phone calls about the new stimulus checks, and the IRS has issued multiple warnings,  including against Twitter scams.

Here are a few things to be watchful for.

– The IRS will never send unsolicited texts or direct Twitter messages. Links within these messages could be dangerous malware or phishing scams.

– Watch out for a scam that asks for bank account information in order to send you an “economic impact payment.”

– If you are asked to verify or provide financial information by phone, email or text to speed up the delivery of your payment, that’s a scam. 

– If the person you’re talking to via text or email uses language other than “economic impact payment,” be wary. The IRS calls the economic impact payment by its official name, whereas scammers are more likely to say “stimulus check” or “stimulus payment” instead. 

– Another scam sends an odd dollar amount, including cents, and asks you to call a number or verify information online in order to cash the check. 

– Some scams try to convince you that you must pay to get your check. The IRS won’t ask you to deposit your check and then send them money. 

The US Treasury, working with the IRS, will either issue your stimulus check through direct deposit or mail you a check or economic impact payment card. 

Pahranagat Valley Federal Credit Union said the Visa debit card you may receive in the mail is valid and not a scam. 

Should you think you have been scammed or have had your personal information compromised, CNET reports the IRS suggests you go to IdentityTheft.gov. The site lets you report identity theft to the IRS and FTC simultaneously and develop a recovery plan. 

To keep track of your second stimulus check, visit the IRS’ “Get My Payment” page. You can also track your second check through the mail.

ABC News reported Jan. 14, “The IRS recently started sending out debit cards with stimulus payments on them, but some people said they threw the cards away because they thought it was a scam, but it is valid.”

The IRS says people who lost or got rid of their economic impact payment debit card can request a free replacement by calling Metabank, the U.S. Department of Treasury’s financial agent, at (800) 240-8100.

More information about stimulus payments and the economic impact payment debit cards can be found at www.irs.gov.