Connecting Data to Wealth Creation
Connecting Data to Wealth Creation
Okay, folks, let's talk about something that always seems to get our hopes up, then dashes them just as quickly: stimulus checks. I've been seeing the buzz again – whispers of surprise deposits hitting bank accounts this November. Are they real? Can we finally catch a break?
The short answer? Sadly, no. No new federal stimulus checks are coming our way in November 2025. Congress hasn't passed any new legislation, and the IRS hasn't confirmed anything. The last train on that track left the station way back in April when the deadline passed to claim the Recovery Rebate Credit from 2021. It's a bummer, I know.
But here's the thing: the desire for these checks, the hope that things might get a little easier, that's real. And it's that hope that scammers and clickbait artists are preying on. They dangle the promise of quick cash, knowing we're all just trying to make ends meet. It's like a mirage in the desert, promising water where there's only sand.
Now, there is another potential glimmer of hope on the horizon, albeit a very speculative one: President Trump's idea of tariff dividends. He's floated the idea of using tariff revenue to send out checks – maybe even $2,000 per person! He even took to Truth Social to declare that "A dividend of at least $2000 a person (not including high income people!) will be paid to everyone."
Here's where things get tricky. As of today, it's still just an idea. A proposal. Nothing's been approved. But, Karoline Leavitt at a White House press briefing did say that the Trump administration is committed to sending these checks to the American people. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has indicated that the checks would be going to middle to low income people, so individuals or families who make $100,000 or less. Whether this will actually come to fruition, it's a bit difficult to tell.
But even the suggestion of such a thing shows how much we need – and expect – some kind of economic relief. It's a testament to the power of a simple promise, a little spark of hope in uncertain times.
And speaking of uncertain times, that's exactly when the scam artists come out of the woodwork. They send fake emails, texts, and social media posts, all designed to trick you into sharing your personal information. They're like digital pickpockets, waiting for you to drop your guard for just a second.
The IRS has been very clear: they never initiate contact through email, texts, or social media. They start with an official letter or notice. If you get a message promising a stimulus check in exchange for your bank account information, delete it. Block the sender. Report it to the FTC.
We've seen this play out before. Remember those "stimulus check scams" that popped up during the pandemic? People were getting gift cards that looked so much like scams that it was hard to tell the real from the fake. Crystal Stranger, senior tax director at Optic Tax in Boulder, Colo., told Yahoo Finance, "The last stimulus checks were during the pandemic, and for taxpayers that didn't have a bank account on file for direct deposit, they were sent out as gift cards that really did look like a scam."
It's a constant battle, this dance between hope and reality, between legitimate relief and outright fraud. James Creech, a principal with the specialty tax advisory at Baker Tilly in San Francisco, said, "These scam artists are out of control. In times of inflation or uncertainty, the promise of a quick $1,200 or $2,500 payment can sound too good to ignore, especially if it comes with a sense of urgency. But once you click a fraudulent link and enter your bank information, the scammers have everything they need to take your money instead of sending it to you."
So, what can you do? Be vigilant. Be skeptical. Check the IRS website directly for any official announcements. And remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Look, I get it. We all want to believe that help is on the way. We're tired of the economic uncertainty, the rising costs, the feeling that we're constantly falling behind. But we can't let that desire blind us to the reality of the situation. We can't let scammers exploit our hope for their own gain.
There's even talk of a "DOGE dividend," spun from savings made by the Department of Government Efficiency. The estimated $2 trillion in expected savings is approximately $214 billion as of the last count. There has been no additional talk of dividend checks being issued. For more information, you can check out this Stimulus payment November 2025, IRS direct deposit relief payment & tariff dividend fact check.
The key is to stay informed, stay vigilant, and stay connected to reliable sources of information. Don't rely on rumors or social media posts. Go straight to the source. Check the IRS website. Contact your state department of revenue. Talk to a qualified tax professional.
Because here's the truth: the future of financial hope isn't about waiting for a miracle check to arrive in the mail. It's about empowering ourselves with knowledge, protecting ourselves from fraud, and working together to build a more secure and equitable future for all.