The coronavirus relief bill passed by Congress allows most Americans to receive a one-time payment of $1,200. But while the money cannot be seized for public debts, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin has allowed banks and other private creditors to confiscate your stimulus check.

That means that if you are in arrears on your account, from being overdrawn or having outstanding unpaid fees, the bank can take your money before you ever see it. Even if the money lands in a closed account, and even if you just got laid off & are struggling to pay your bills in this economy.

This was not what Congress intended when they passed the relief act, and all it would take is action by the Treasury Department to block private creditors from seizing your $1,200.

We can stop this. A few weeks ago, disabled people who live on SSI (Supplemental Security Income) were going to have to jump through hoops to receive a stimulus check. But after an outcry—including a Daily Kos petition signed by 74,000 people—the Treasury Department has partially relented.

People are struggling with the COVID-19 pandemic, which is why Congress passed a relief act to give most individuals a $1,200 check. That money belongs to you, not the private lenders.

Sign the petition to the Treasury Department: Stop banks and other private lenders from seizing our stimulus checks.