Beware: Text scam uses tariff checks as bait

WAITSBURG - The IRS has warned that any emails, texts, or social media posts claiming that you must "act now" to receive a $2,000 check are scams. Below is an example of the scam, which was sent by text to "The Times".

"June, we can't release your $2,000 Trump Check until you reply. Your response is OVERDUE. Deadline extended to 9pm: https://red1st.net/wy44oeKT"

As of February 2026, the administration has not mailed any $2,000 checks, and neither Congress nor the Internal Revenue Service has approved any such program. 

Legal and financial roadblocks include whether tariff revenue would be sufficient to fund the payments, and a pending Supreme Court ruling on the legality of the tariffs could affect the ability to use that revenue for dividends.