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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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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.
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  • 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.

KCrabPA
March 20, 2020
Still No word if Seniors and Disabled workers or retired veterans will get this? And why can’t they tell us how much and if We even get it-1st I’d all It can’t be $1,000 because Social security don’t allow that much in your bank- whether Social security or SSI-DI And since all will get their checks before the stimulus check that tell you not $1,000 when they had last Stimulus checks when Bush left office & Obama got it the check I received was $35.00 only- until I get it in my hands I fail to believe $1,000
VC
March 20, 2020
I think a site should be set up for people on Social Security so they could get cleaning supplies to keep this virus at Bay not everyone on Social Security gets food stamps and Medicaid some had to go out early because of health and didn't get approved for SSID shame but life and I am taken back about the out of control people at the food banks when they go around to all everyday and they get food stamps stop missusing the system and think of others when your out taking more than your share blows me away to see how many people on SSI out kicking heels up and get a free ride when people who worked all their life and they are few dollars over the guide line to get help I think everyone who worked all there life and retired that don't get help should get the stimlus check younger people getting a check because they know how to play the game shouldn't just my thought don't mean to step on toes with my comment sorry if you have soft shoulders.
Ybelle53
March 20, 2020
Will people on SSI get a check from the government stimulas program?
Tonja
March 20, 2020
Will those of social security get the stimulus check. Noone seem to have the answer
FTC Staff
March 20, 2020

In reply to by Tonja

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

William
March 20, 2020
Will people who qualify for these benefits be notified by mail or email?or will it be added on to my regular retirement disability benefits
Nana
March 20, 2020
Will a person on widow benefits receive a stimulas check?
wendylambert31…
March 20, 2020
I live on SSI ,781 dollars a month can you please help us have nothing to fall back on ,no help for us please consider this
Nana
March 20, 2020
Thank You
Matt2020
March 20, 2020
How is this going to work?
Suze
March 20, 2020
I am on social security. I spent a lot on groceries and household items so I could stay at home. I spent a lot more than my budget allows. Will I be getting one of these stimulus checks, or not?
GE
March 20, 2020
I think those of us on disability or retired getting SS—and wondering if we’ll get stimulus check —should phone our State Senators. Since they have to pass the stimulus bill, who better to ask?
Anonymous
March 20, 2020
Will people who don't make enough to file taxes get a check? I guess you would call me self employed, I baby sit two babies. Now that schools are closed there mom is home with them. I have NO income. I don't know what I'm going to do.
JD57
March 20, 2020
I’m on disability,and I don’t pay taxes because disability is non taxable as long as it’s not over a certain amount.Will I qualify to receive a check?
sueb19
March 20, 2020
Will seniors on social security get a check?
Lynnconcerned
March 20, 2020
If someone already filed for 2019 already they should go by that for stimulus payment. Example my 2018 return included a severance final payment that put me over $75k which is not normal pay. Then 2019 income is 50% less. Things like this should be factored in! Otherwise it is not fair for everyone who needs it!
chadlin
March 20, 2020
I’m on social security disability will I receive a stimulus check???
FTC Staff
March 20, 2020

In reply to by chadlin

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

Lollyang1
March 20, 2020
Will people on disability get a stimulus check. My fiancé had a massive stroke and is in the hospital and I get survivor benefits because I have severe COPD. Will I qualify for a stimulus check
FTC Staff
March 20, 2020

In reply to by Lollyang1

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

Marilian Roman
March 20, 2020
OK and what about the disabled people are they going to be getting money as well?? as all the tax people and the workers. Also Social Security income should be in counted in getting money as well not just people that worked.
Mommy69
March 20, 2020
For people on disability and SSI receive the stimulus payment check
AP1416
March 20, 2020
I am on SSD. I have 6 children, 2 are disabled. I am married. Husband is also disabled but gets no money monthly. Will I be getting the stimulus check 2020? I have not filed taxes since 2017. I had to buy a lot of extra stuff due to this virus. I have no money left. And if this crisis continues, it will be terribly hard to care for my family. Please let me know. Ty
Don't use your…
March 20, 2020
Will individuals who receive VA or social security disability receive a Coronavirus bail out?
FTC Staff
March 20, 2020

In reply to by Don't use your…

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

Randy912
March 23, 2020

In reply to by Don't use your…

They're saying only people who filled taxes get a check that sucks cause I'm on disability also not fair
Rainsong
March 20, 2020
I am 65, have heart disease, diabetes, asthma and a compromised immune system so I am totally confined to my home during this pandrmic, having to pay someone to shop for me, deliver my groceries way out in the country. Everything's costing more, cheaper brands are gone soon as they hit the selves so we're stuck with the even more expensive brands. So how can the President not figure we are also in need of the extra money just because we're on social security. It would be nice if someone would answer the question and put it to the President.
mosly72
March 20, 2020
why only American citizen will received this stimulus? where are the others legal status.. we have the same needs as such.
Rainsong
March 20, 2020
I am 65, have heart disease, diabetes, asthma and a compromised immune system so I am totally confined to my home during this pandrmic, having to pay someone to shop for me, deliver my groceries way out in the country. Everything's costing more, cheaper brands are gone soon as they hit the selves so we're stuck with the even more expensive brands. So how can the President not figure we are also in need of the extra money just because we're on social security. It would be nice if someone would answer the question and put it to the President.
Camden
March 20, 2020
My address changed. How the Government know where to send my check? I haven’t done my tax this year yet since I’m still waiting on one more 1099 however my last year tax has my old address and how do I change my address?
Markus S
March 20, 2020
Thank you for having our backs. Keep up the good work .
Cmoreland2
March 20, 2020
Will a college student who filed independent taxes for the first time in 2020 such as myself get one of these checks?
David N.
March 20, 2020
It’s also not likely that any millionaires will receive a stimulus check. As noted by Heather Long for The Washington Post, it might be helpful to consider the precedent for these checks, to map out how this could play out in the coming months: This isn’t a new idea. The United States has done this twice before. During the Great Recession, the federal government sent about every adult a $300 to $600 check (plus $300 per child). The same thing happened in 2001, when the majority of Americans received a $300 check. In the last recession, checks went out to pretty much everyone who wasn’t a millionaire and filed a U.S. tax return, including Social Security recipients. Americans earning at least some income but less than $75,000 got the full amount, while wealthier people got less. The payments were sent by a check in the mail or direct deposit into a bank account.
Smitty
March 20, 2020
Will veterans get a check if all we get is va disability?
FTC Staff
March 23, 2020

In reply to by Smitty

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

mlyn1986
March 20, 2020
Disabled vets and disabled people need a check as well. Everyone deserves this check. We all been affected, bills to pay and food shopping is not cheap. We all need help.
Don't ushep831
April 03, 2020
Are people who receive social security and disability getting these checks as we are experiencing hardships too.
Nate
March 20, 2020
What if u have more children living with you than last year tax return how would I notified someone about that to get it the benefits on the stimulus check?
Missy
March 20, 2020
I'm on ssi too. I have 3 children that's epilepsy. I have 5 girls all together. I have no money to be buying f ood or supplies. I'm On a fix income. I'm worried to death. I no others are too when drawing ssi . it's a struggle for us every month. I hope the president thinks of us too.
Mykel
March 20, 2020
People are saying disability people will not get checks. Yet that isn’t fair. We basically live on $600-900 a month for everything yet barely have money left over for food for a single day by day - yet now disable people suppose to stock up 3 months of food? How in the devil do you do that when you never had enough in the first place to live weekly. We rarely know where are next meal is coming from in a normal economy yet we suppose to come up with cash to buy extra food? Extreme meds? Extra supplies? How about you try to live like us and then tell us these things. It isn’t fair that disable people already burdened to brink of 6times below the poverty level to come up with resources. We can’t do normal jobs and make side money like healthy people can. What about our meds? Insurance companies don’t allow but so many meds every 25 days yet I’m suppose to force them to give me 3 months worth? Nobody ever cares about the disability people until they become one themselves.
jsherrard312
April 03, 2020
I need a check
thankstoallpub…
March 20, 2020
Thank you very much for this warning and yes most of us do really appreciate government workers.
brandon
March 20, 2020
I owe child support will I getting this check from the government
Addaelove
April 11, 2020

In reply to by brandon

Do federal tax refund intercept for back child support
Genobe F Caraway
March 20, 2020
I am not a vet will I also get a stimulus check
Denzel
March 20, 2020
Will you get a check if you didnt file taxes?
glamourgirl784
April 03, 2020
If u get SSI will u get a check we need stuff to
Sue
March 20, 2020
Why is everyone asking the same question over and over again? I have read the response to this question a number of times. The answer is not going to change just because you don't like it. Here is the answer as of right now: FTC Staff | March 20, 2020 | reply As of today, there are no confirmed details about any stimulus money. Watch for updates from trusted news sources to find the latest.
Mary g
March 20, 2020
O read some where it said has proposed would also benefit people out of work those on fixed income living on disability are retirement benefits and so on
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