The first-ever New York inflation relief stimulus checks have officially begun rolling out as of September 26th, and though New Yorkers don’t have to do anything on their end to receive their inflation refund check, that’s not what the scammers want you to believe.
In December 2024, Governor Kathy Hochul unveiled a plan to offset rising inflation prices: inflation relief checks–fitting considering NYC has the fifth biggest inflation problem in the U.S.
Hochul proposed $3 billion-worth of inflation relief stimulus checks for 8.6 million New Yorkers. “It’s simple: the cost of living is still too damn high, and New Yorkers deserve a break,” she stated.
The inflation relief payments were approved in April as part of Hochul’s Fiscal Year 2026 New York State Budget, alerting New Yorkers to expect checks of up to $400 funded by surplus sales tax revenues. Here’s how much you can expect.
From the get go Hochul made it clear that eligible New Yorkers wouldn’t need to take any initiative on their end to receive their inflation stimulus check, but scammers are now trying to convince people otherwise.
Governor Kathy Hochul is warning of text messages, voice messages, emails, and direct mail sent by scammers to taxpayers in an attempt to spread false information about New York State’s inflation refund checks.
The messages falsely claim that New Yorkers must submit accurate payment information in order to receive an IRS inflation check, supposedly so revenue agencies can deposit money into a taxpayer’s bank account. However, the New York State Tax Department and the IRS will not call or text New Yorkers with requests for any personal information.
An example of this scam text message looks as follows:
Hochul reiterated the fact that New Yorkers do not need to apply, sign up, or do anything to receive an inflation refund check so long as they meet the eligibility requirements. To qualify for an inflation refund check you must have done the following for tax year 2023:
- Filed Form IT-201, New York State Resident Income Tax Return
- Met the state’s income limits for your filing status
- Were not claimed as a dependent on another taxpayer’s return
Hochul stated:
With scams targeting the state’s inflation refund initiative, let me be clear: The Tax Department and the IRS do not call or text individuals for personal information. My administration urges New Yorkers to remain vigilant and report these scams to the Tax Department to protect yourself from being a victim.
What To Do If You Receive A Scam Message
If you receive any sort of scam message appearing to be from the Tax Department, you’re urged to block the sender, delete the message, and report the scam to the Tax Department or IRS. To reiterate, the Tax Department does not use text messages, email, direct mail, or social media to request your personal tax information.
Follow these best practices to help keep your personal information safe and prevent yourself from becoming a victim. In addition:
- If you receive a threatening phone call regarding your taxes, hang up immediately
- Never agree to meet anyone who claims to be a tax representative in person to hand over payment for a debt
- Don’t provide personal information in an email or click suspicious links in an email asking for personal information
Inflation Relief Stimulus Check 2025
Inflation refund checks have begun hitting the mailboxes of more than 8.2 million households across New York State. Deliveries will continue throughout October and November.
While you can’t check your inflation relief checks status, the Department of Taxation and Finance states that you may receive your check sooner or later than your neighbors, as mailings are not based on zip code or region. Your check will look like this:
