Scammers are using phone calls, emails, and texts about the 2021 Child Tax Credit Advance Payments program to try to get your personal information.

The IRS will use information from 2019 or 2020 tax returns to automatically enroll qualified taxpayers in the Child Tax Credit program. Any message you receive that appears to be part of the program is fake. You do not have to apply. The payments are made automatically.

Remember, the IRS will not:

  • Ask you to provide or verify financial information in order to receive Child Tax Credit payments.
  • Contact you and request personal information.
  • Call you with a threatening or urgent message.
  • Request payment by gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency.

The IRS website — irs.gov — has more information.

  • Search for child tax credit scams.
  • Find the Child Tax Credit Update Portal on the Home page.