The third round of monthly advance payments for the child tax credit was scheduled to hit bank accounts Wednesday, given it’s Sept. 15.
So what better time for the scammers to text our phones with promises of big cash?
On the night of Sept. 14, I received this text: “Apply for government pandemic extra stimulus bonus of $1,400.”
Of course, the message said all I needed to do was click on the link in the text to “submit your details.”
Mind you, there’s no such thing as an extra stimulus bonus even if people are talking about getting money now.
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►How to stretch those dollars:4 ways to maximize your monthly child tax credit payments
How much is the child tax credit for September 2021?
Yes, many parents are receiving extra money, thanks to the advance payments for the child tax credit. But again, they’re not texting anyone to get it.
Millions of eligible families are currently receiving up to $300 per month for each qualifying child ages 5 and younger and $250 per month for children ages 6 to 17. The monthly payouts run from July through December.
Depending on how many children you have and their ages, you easily could be looking at an extra $500 or $900 a month.
The next round of payments will be Oct. 15, Nov. 15 and Dec. 15.
Many payments are automatic and based on information the Internal Revenue Service has from your 2019 or 2020 tax returns, whichever has been processed already.
