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Uncle Sam owes 11-thousand Floridians money. 20 million dollars in tax return checks are waiting to be claimed. Capitol Correspondent Whitney Ray tells us who the checks belong to, and how to claim those dollars without being scammed.

Just in time for the holiday shopping season, there’s good news for 11-thousand Floridians. They overpaid Uncle Sam, and the IRS is trying to refund their money. In all, taxpayers are owed 20 million dollars. The average pay out is more than 17-hundred.

The checks were mailed out this summer, but were sent back to the IRS because the addresses were wrong.”

Most of the checks are written out to people who moved, changed their name because of a marriage or divorce, or died. Family members of the deceased can claim their loved ones check.

But be wary of anyone emailing you about a tax return. The IRS doesn’t contact taxpayers by email, but scammers do. The state Attorney General’s office sees it all the time.

“People send out these emails. They look like they are from the government and they encourage people to email them. Click on links. Put in their personal information. It’s really a scam,” said Sandi Copes, Spokeswoman for the Attorney General’s Office.

Getting the money back in the economy could help boost sales this holiday season. Florida TaxWatch says if the 20 million dollars was spent on presents it would have a major impact on Florida’s economy.

“When you bring money like this into the economy, the multiplier effect can be as high as seven times. That money gets spent and re-spent and re-spent,” said Weissert.

And money spent on gifts for loved ones also pumps dollars into the state budget through sales taxes. To find out if you are owed money you can visit our website and look for your name or go to the IRS site at www.irs.gov or call at 1-800-829-1954.