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Please visit Coronavirus stimulus payment scams: What you need to know for the most recent information.

 

As the Coronavirus takes a growing toll on people’s pocketbooks, there are reports that the government will soon be sending money by check or direct deposit to each of us. The details are still being worked out, but there are a few really important things to know, no matter what this looks like.

 

1. The government will not ask you to pay anything up front to get this money. No fees. No charges. No nothing.

2. The government will not call to ask for your Social Security number, bank account, or credit card number. Anyone who does is a scammer.

3. These reports of checks aren’t yet a reality. Anyone who tells you they can get you the money now is a scammer.

Look, normally we’d wait to know what the payment plan looks like before we put out a message like this. But these aren’t normal times. And we predict that the scammers are gearing up to take advantage of this.

So, remember: no matter what this payment winds up being, only scammers will ask you to pay to get it. If you spot one of these scams, please tell the Federal Trade Commission: www.ftc.gov/complaint. We’re doing our best to stop these scammers in their tracks, and your report will help.

Keep up to date with the latest Coronavirus-related scams at www.ftc.gov/coronavirus or by signing up to get these consumer alerts. 

Watch these videos for more tips on how to avoid ecomonic impact payment scams:

FTC tips to avoid economic impact payment scams

Updated link added on April 21, 2020.

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It is your choice whether to submit a comment. If you do, you must create a user name, or we will not post your comment. The Federal Trade Commission Act authorizes this information collection for purposes of managing online comments. Comments and user names are part of the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) public records system, and user names also are part of the FTC’s computer user records system. We may routinely use these records as described in the FTC’s Privacy Act system notices. For more information on how the FTC handles information that we collect, please read our privacy policy.

The purpose of this blog and its comments section is to inform readers about Federal Trade Commission activity, and share information to help them avoid, report, and recover from fraud, scams, and bad business practices. Your thoughts, ideas, and concerns are welcome, and we encourage comments. But keep in mind, this is a moderated blog. We review all comments before they are posted, and we won’t post comments that don’t comply with our commenting policy. We expect commenters to treat each other and the blog writers with respect.

  • We won’t post off-topic comments, repeated identical comments, or comments that include sales pitches or promotions.
  • We won’t post comments that include vulgar messages, personal attacks by name, or offensive terms that target specific people or groups.
  • We won’t post threats, defamatory statements, or suggestions or encouragement of illegal activity.
  • We won’t post comments that include personal information, like Social Security numbers, account numbers, home addresses, and email addresses. To file a detailed report about a scam, go to ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

We don't edit comments to remove objectionable content, so please ensure that your comment contains none of the above. The comments posted on this blog become part of the public domain. To protect your privacy and the privacy of other people, please do not include personal information. Opinions in comments that appear in this blog belong to the individuals who expressed them. They do not belong to or represent views of the Federal Trade Commission.

lena
March 18, 2020
how will they know where to send it if you dont have a bank account
Sheilabass51
March 20, 2020
Do American that receive Ssi or ssd check get a stimulus check
FTC Staff
March 20, 2020

In reply to by Sheilabass51

As of today, there are no confirmed details about any stimulus money. Watch for updates from trusted news sources to find the latest.

Eveyonelove
March 20, 2020

In reply to by FTC Staff

I have custody of my grandchildren I am disabled aswell do I get a stimulus payment.
adriandepp
March 22, 2020

In reply to by FTC Staff

Are legal permanent residents getting the check also?
rocio80
March 19, 2020
Does retired seniors receiving a check from the government?
Jane
March 19, 2020
Will people on s.s.i or just as get the 2020 stimulus check
Sharon
March 19, 2020
is this for everyone? I get social security and cant make it on that. The extra money would help pay for my medicine and groceries.
Zack
March 19, 2020
So me and my wife are going through a divorce. Hence, we are filing separately this year. We used to live in Stockton, now we both live separately in San Jose. How will the government know where to send me check or deposit into my bank account? Since I changed address, changed filing status, changed bank account( joint account is deleted) and I havent filed tax yet due to court complications and 1099, how will the government determine that? Do I need to rush to file and provide new information before April 6th?
Filed for divorce
March 21, 2020

In reply to by Zack

Filed divorce last week we filed joint I wonder if we report to irs or how we go about this
Missjill32
March 19, 2020
I was just wondering if people getting SSDI will be able to get this ck....iam disabled myself but I also care for my 20 yr old son with autism and with his day program on hold for now things r tough any news or hope would be welcome...wishing you well
FTC Staff
March 20, 2020

In reply to by Missjill32

As of today, there are no confirmed details about any stimulus money. Watch for updates from trusted news sources to find the latest.

Concerned citizen
March 19, 2020
I would like to know if people with a disability who is not able to work will they receive anything or similar to this stimulus package?
My4babies
March 19, 2020
My soon to be ex husband and I filed together. We have children. He took off with our card and took the taxes. How would we get it in a case like this? The reason I say soon to be ex is because I filed for a divorce after ge did this.
MissACaregiver
March 19, 2020
If we do get a stimulus check, is it going to be taken away from you and given to the Department of Education for your student loans like my income tax check was? I am currently unemployed and an unpaid caregiver to a family member. If they take it away from me like my income tax check, the stimulus will be of no benefit to me, or like so many other Americans with student loans
Mimler
March 19, 2020
I agree, it's refreshing to read a government notice that's honest and human. Thank you.
Naba
March 19, 2020
Permanent residents will get the checks or only US citizens?
Mackoy
March 19, 2020
If you’re disabled are you eligible to get that stimulus money?
Good Citizens
March 19, 2020
Thanks
Hawk 29
March 19, 2020
I'm on SSD and like to know if I will get a stimulas check when they are given out . When I was working I paid enough taxes .
garyallen01
March 19, 2020
Will people that draw disability get a stimulus check???
Disabled Man
March 19, 2020
Disabled Americans better be entitled to this Stimulus this time as well! We are struggling as it is!
bluntman1968
March 19, 2020
I was working for a temp company and they haven't been sending me out because this.. I can't pay my rent or buy food.. EBT is a joke.. On the 1st I'll owe 750 dollars.. I have 15 dollars to my name so my family will be homeless then.. It takes gas to get to food pantries.. We can't eat out of date food.. We get sick off of it.. I'm 51 and an ex con.. The work I usually do I can't do with my physical condition.. It takes years to get ssi or disability.. I'm at a loss as to what to do.. We were just getting by then the virus hits and the panic started.. How am I going to take care of my family.. It's my wife,me and my dog..
Aidensmimi
March 19, 2020
How do you apply?
sarah
March 19, 2020
What about retirees? I’ve seen no mention of them
Bane
March 19, 2020
What a lovely proposal
Junebugon't us…
March 19, 2020
Will people on social security disability get a check
FTC Staff
March 23, 2020

In reply to by Junebugon't us…

As of today, there are no confirmed details about any stimulus money. Watch for updates from trusted news sources to find the latest.

Fromthefoxden!
April 28, 2020

In reply to by Junebugon't us…

Yes. I’m scheduled to receive mine tomorrow. My husband is too and we’re both on SSD
DebB
March 19, 2020
I would love clarification on this. My husband and I get SS checks. Our adult sons live with us and they help with our high rent. One son has slowed way down in construction. Our other son is in retail ( liquor ) and that will close soon. We will not have food if we don't get these government checks. I hope they send out based on SS#.
Frankielove
March 19, 2020
The coronavirus is an inside job
BC RockerDon't…
March 19, 2020
I agree with all the comments praising the FTC both for being proactive in warning about scammers and for such a well-written message. It was like having a down-to-earth, reasonable person talk to you. Keeps people reading, plus greater likelyhood of them hearing what you're saying. Kudos and thank you.
Tennessee vet
March 19, 2020
They try to scam me all time but it never work salute to the government from this retired Marine
Bryantjoseph
March 19, 2020
Thank you for info. How do I know if I qualify for stimulus?
Milk40
March 21, 2020

In reply to by Bryantjoseph

What if u haven’t filed your 2019 taxes but is a working citizen and have been out of work for the last two weeks. Will you still qualify for the stimulus check. I mean just because u haven’t filed yet shouldn’t mean u don’t get it . I’ve been working since I was 16.
Batmancurt1
March 19, 2020
I’m 22 on SSI benefits Because I’m Disable will we get $1000 Because of the Conrnavirus issue
tom
March 19, 2020
And how is this paid back?
WorldsEnd?
March 19, 2020
I would want to know that the checks would go out to everyone, even if the person owes back taxes and is paying them off in small monthly payments already because we have little income, that the IRS will not just take the checks and pay themselves back in full and leave us homeless at a time of job loss, simply because they think we owe. This is not the time to be taking a cent from people by IRS or anyone else. This is an emergency! And they better give the same amt to ppl on SSI and disability too. Elders, disabled etc Need this most of all right now. We had no money to stockpile meds and get 2 weeks of foods.
Joseph
March 19, 2020
My VA Payments, Were Just reduced from 100% to 10% !, I cannot Pay My Bills. I do NOT Pay Taxes, How do I get this Money ?
Luna
March 19, 2020
Wow, I’m impressed. I actually read this message because it sounded like a real human who cares writing this. Thank you!!
Kelli1614
March 19, 2020
Thank you for this information.
wealth.2015
March 19, 2020
yeah, does people on disability get a check or a choice??
needtoknow
March 22, 2020

In reply to by wealth.2015

Are the disabled getting this money al also?
FTC Staff
March 23, 2020

In reply to by wealth.2015

As of today, there are no confirmed details about any stimulus money. Watch for updates from trusted news sources to find the latest.

campbellyvonne…
March 19, 2020
How would you know if we're qualified for this or not
Don't use your…
March 19, 2020
What about non US citizen? Are they to die out.. Usually their job gets laid first.
I’ll tell 13
March 19, 2020
If you work will you still receive the check and if you didn’t file taxes yet will you still receive it
Karen12
March 19, 2020
Do u think senior citizens will get a check to I'm on ssi social security it sure will be a need
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