Those Waiting for a Stimulus Check Have Until Wednesday to Request Direct Deposit

Those still waiting for a stimulus check from the government are being reminded that Wednesday is the last chance to request money be paid directly into their accounts.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) said it has already delivered nearly 130 million Economic Impact Payments of up to $1,200 per person, with millions of more checks still to arrive.

Currently, a vast majority of those who have already received their checks have done so because they opted for a direct deposit rather than have it sent via mail.

The option was either taken while they were filling in their tax returns for 2018 or 2019, or while using the Get My Payment app.

The IRS is now reminding people that they have until by noon Wednesday, May 13, to provide their direct deposit information on the app if they do not want their checks sent via the post.

"We're working hard to get more payments quickly to taxpayers," IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig said in a statement.

"We want people to visit Get My Payment before the noon Wednesday deadline so they can provide their direct deposit information.

"Time is running out for a chance to get these payments several weeks earlier through direct deposit."

The government said the number of paper checks being delivered to taxpayers will soon start to "sharply increase." Those waiting for their checks to be sent via mail have been told it may arrive anytime from late May to June.

Elsewhere, the IRS has warned people to look out for scams in connection to the Economic Impact Payment. They warned people to look out for suspicious emails, phone calls or texts about the checks.

"Be careful and cautious: The IRS will not send unsolicited electronic communications asking people to open attachments, visit a website or share personal or financial information," the agency said.

People can use the Get My Payment app to track the status of their payment if they have not yet received it.

The IRS said it has paid out more than $200 billion of payments during the first four weeks of the $2 trillion Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act being launched.

There has been no confirmation as to whether there will be a second round of payments, but President Donald Trump previously said it is something he is considering.

"We could very well do a second round of direct [payments]," Trump said during a news conference on April 7. "It is absolutely under serious consideration."