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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.
  • 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.

Don'tSheryl us…
March 19, 2020

In reply to by SallyAlso

Will stimulus check be direct deposited and when?
Beautifulmess
March 19, 2020

In reply to by SallyAlso

Will those on disability recieve the stimulus check
countrygrl66
March 20, 2020

In reply to by SallyAlso

I'm hoping for the same exact thing. We need the stimulus money just like everyone else. It would be very smart of the gvmt to just issue ours direct deposit. Paper checks will get lost!
Conniecowgirl10
March 20, 2020

In reply to by countrygrl66

Countrygrl66 I don’t think you have to worry about getting a paper check. That wouldn’t make sense considering we get out SS direct deposit. It would not be cost effective to send out all that paper!! If we do get money it will almost positively be direct deposit.
Jasper1
March 20, 2020

In reply to by SallyAlso

I am on disability that I worked hard all my life to be able to receive. Will I get the stimulus money?
Slikk
March 20, 2020

In reply to by SallyAlso

Will I receive a check , I'm SSI/DI , AN WILL IT BE AUTOMATICALY DEPOSITED ALONG WITH MY SSI/DI MONTHLY CHECK ??
FTC Staff
March 23, 2020

In reply to by Slikk

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

Lisazamb
March 20, 2020

In reply to by SallyAlso

First how will the checks be sent out by mail when everthing is going to be shut down and will people on ssi and ssdi and our vets still receive there monthly checks??
Please answer …
March 21, 2020

In reply to by BeeShopDon't u…

They took my tax check for behind chikd support. Will i get a stimulus check if they are issued or will they take it for behind support too?
Ashesfalldwn
March 18, 2020

In reply to by sepia

I am extra proud to be an American right now! It is so comforting to see such an endearing degree of humanity & care from our government in such a trying time! God bless America & all Americans! I’m praying for our nation.
patrick.dolan9…
March 19, 2020

In reply to by sepia

Yes all my life they seemed like robots on TV saying the same thing. .. House always wins, tho .. there just nicer about Now, due to Corona. They will have our money there giving us in a matter of days.
Jess93
March 19, 2020

In reply to by sepia

Totally agree! It gives people a heads up about scammers and that’s pretty nice.
Conniecowgirl10
March 20, 2020

In reply to by sepia

I totally agree. So nice to get an update that is easily read and understood. And it’s great that they’re trying to get ahead of this because I’m sure scammers are already making plans.
MJRE
March 27, 2020

In reply to by sepia

Yes, keep up the good work something that could and should be done frequently. We are Americans
TomJerzey
March 27, 2020

In reply to by sepia

Agreed. As a Reagan Republican (the 9 scariest words in the English language are "I'm from the government, and I'm here to help"), I have to say, with the unprecedented nature of all of this, it's nice to see this type of communication, in this time when we NEED our federal government (which beside war is rare IMO). Good job here, gives me hope in the govt.
sarajanevc
March 28, 2020

In reply to by sepia

This is a blog that's why it's written that way. But, I do agree with you, it does sound nice. ☺️
Mawmawof5
April 10, 2020

In reply to by sepia

I agree - Human, daily words are so much easier to understand then "lawyer" or "politician" circular verbiage. Thanks for the human touch in such harsh times.
veraduerga
March 18, 2020
thanks, for the info and updates and warnings. strange times. hope to get back to some form of normalcy and sanity.
hotpeppergal
March 18, 2020
How will they know who needs help? My family is suffering. I lost my job, my son lost his job and my older husband can't work so we need help. We have no money coming in.
Same boat
March 18, 2020

In reply to by hotpeppergal

I understand your concerns but your NOT the only one! We are in the same situation. We ALL have to wait. 4 people in my home, 3 of us are out of work due to this & 1 disabled. 2 with perminate disabling conditions & we were still working until this. Doctor's & medications are a MUST to live. We all have concerns & worries
RickTheHomeless
March 18, 2020

In reply to by hotpeppergal

You are absolutely right. I have no address, and I can't file taxes, so I know I won't get any check, just like all the other times they claimed to give us something. I'm self employed on eBay, and doing rare gig work. I get almost nothing now, at $30/mo, and maybe nothing now. They're just going to give it to the rich like before.
Lori
March 18, 2020

In reply to by hotpeppergal

According to the news, the amount you get is based on how many dependents you have. The stimulus checks will go out to tax payers and will be based on the size of your family. Good luck to you, and I pray to God everything works out for you, as these are some tough times!
JimBir
March 19, 2020

In reply to by hotpeppergal

Unfortunately, the thousand dollars is going to help you very much.
Disabled American
March 19, 2020

In reply to by JimBir

A$1000 will pay for many people’s rent or car payment or food.. I’d say it is a lot of money to most of us!
Is
March 19, 2020

In reply to by JimBir

1000.00 is going to help me a whole lot! In between losing hours and no taxes!!
Don't use your…
March 20, 2020

In reply to by JimBir

How do you know what a $1000 will not help me? I can buy insulin medications and food.
taylocor
March 19, 2020

In reply to by hotpeppergal

They don’t decide who needs help. From what they’ve said, it will be given to all Americans indiscriminately
joanie
March 19, 2020

In reply to by hotpeppergal

we are going through similar circumstances. sending prayers to you and your family. we are all in this together
concerned citizen
March 18, 2020
Thank you for taking pro-active steps, rather than the typical reactive ones. May I suggest when more concrete information comes out this site should post links to official policy and procedures. Thanks for making our lives safer by keeping us up-to-date with latest information.
SSI use your e…
March 19, 2020

In reply to by concerned citizen

I receive SSI will i receive a check also.
KimReed
March 20, 2020

In reply to by concerned citizen

People on SSI social security and SSD also get the stimulus check
Nina Topaz
March 18, 2020
FYI. The $1000 per person being proposed is inadequate. Most households cannot survive on that especially as we need to self-isolate or be in lockdown mode for week or months. Take care people first! Here's my suggestion: To start distribute as an initial payment of $1000 per person per household making $125K or less for for six months paid in full now. This is not time for economic stimulus. It is time for guaranteeing the financial security of Americans which will help protect the economy when a business stimulus is appropriate.
bobby123
March 18, 2020

In reply to by Nina Topaz

$1K per household isn't much help unless it was sent in every month as long as I am isolated and out of work. My part time job doesn't have PTO. I am the only one in the house but I still pay the full rent, light, gas, water bills, food bills, medical bills, car payment, gas, insurance, car repairs. For me alone, that wouldn't even cover cost of living in my tiny apartment for one month!
Jreed58
March 18, 2020

In reply to by Nina Topaz

Will this also include the elderly and ppl that get disability.?
Kenneth Kinnunen
March 19, 2020

In reply to by Jreed58

If one didnt fill in 2018 and is on social security will they get $1000 stimuless check Thank You.
Don't use your…
March 19, 2020

In reply to by Jreed58

Was just checking to see if the folks on disability would be getting any help? I get ss and ssi would be thankful for anything . Just hate how it’s coming about
FTC Staff
March 23, 2020

In reply to by Roger

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

Javarush
March 18, 2020

In reply to by Nina Topaz

Excellent suggestion, as a senior citizen I can tell you that SSI is keeping my wife & I , who is stage 4 cancer, just at a subsistence level. We always have our PPE on whenever going out during flu season, have not had it since doing so. We have been self isolating from the start of C-19. Lost 3/4 of our meager nest egg and fear will never recover.
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