Many people are experiencing financial hardship after losing their jobs during the coronavirus pandemic.

As the financial hardships continue, officials are warning the public of scammers trying to to advantage of this difficult time.

Officials say scammers may try to get personal information several different ways, so they can then claim the $1,200 relief check.

The IRS says it will not call to ask the public to verify your payment details. The IRS says to not give any bank account, debit card or PayPal information over the phone.

It also says they will not contact you through texts, email or social media.

Also, the IRS will not send you a check that requires you to verify it online or by calling a number.

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“These payments will be sent to you automatically to many individuals. Whether you have your direct deposit information that’s already on file with the IRS and if not, taxpayers will receive a paper check,” says Jonathan Larsen, special agent, IRS Criminal Investigation.

The checks many are waiting for will take anywhere from two to three weeks to distribute. Anyone who has gotten checks from the IRS recently are phony, according to investigators.