Dear friend,

Millions of Americans should be getting their stimulus checks in their
bank accounts. But some of you may never see that money -- because the
Trump Administration is allowing big banks to take it away.

The American Prospect revealed that the Treasury Department is telling
banks they can seize customers' stimulus checks in order to cover old
debts or fees.^1 Banks can do this even if you thought your account with
them was closed. One bank, USAA, was already caught doing this -- and
stopped under public pressure.^2

We cannot allow Wall Street and the big banks to undermine these
desperately needed economic stimulus funds. These deposits are designed to
help people pay their rent and put food on the table. We have to stop the
banks from taking that money away from people who need it.

[ [link removed] ]Sign the petition: Tell Congress and the Treasury Department to stop
banks from taking away your stimulus check!

Congress prevented governments from seizing the stimulus checks to pay
state and federal debts, except for child support. Congress didn't extend
the same ban to private debt collectors, but gave the Treasury Department
the power to do it themselves.

Senators Elizabeth Warren and Sherrod Brown urged the Treasury Department
to do just that, and pass create new rules to protect the stimulus checks
from greedy banks.

Instead, in extraordinary conference call audio obtained by The American
Prospect, the Treasury Department told big banks that they had the freedom
to seize the stimulus checks to offset an old loan or past fees. And many
of them are already doing so.

Some governors, like Jay Inslee in Washington State, have issued orders to
stop banks and private debt collectors in their states from seizing
individuals' stimulus funds.^3 But most Americans aren't getting that
help, and we need Congress and the Treasury Department to act now. 

We're facing the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, and the
worst pandemic since the influenza of 1918. These stimulus checks, which
should be bigger than just $1200, are still essential for workers facing
dire financial needs. For many households, these checks are crucial to
putting food on the table or paying rent.

That's why we have to stop the big banks from taking them out of our
pockets. Will you help?

[ [link removed] ]Add your name: Tell Congress and the Treasury Department to stop banks
from taking away your stimulus check!

Thanks for taking action in this urgent moment,

Robert and the team at Demand Progress

[ [link removed] ]DONATE

Sources:
1. The American Prospect, "Your Coronavirus Check Is Coming. Your Bank Can
Grab It.," [ [link removed] ]April 14, 2020.
2. The American Prospect, "U.S. Bank, Radius Bank Added to the List of
Coronavirus Check-Stealers," [ [link removed] ]April 17, 2020.
3. Proclamation of Governor Jay Inslee, [ [link removed] ]April 14, 2020.
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