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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.

Anakoa
March 21, 2020
Will people on welfare and temporary disabled get an stimulus check too??if so how will we know?
tzimmerman2003
March 21, 2020
I receive ssa disability since the coronavirus directly affects me too will i get a stimulus check? They said every citizen
FTC Staff
March 24, 2020

In reply to by tzimmerman2003

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

Princessangel123
March 21, 2020
I think this virus has become a money maker for people only people who pay taxes can get it well it's not right what about the homeless and disabled people on disability I saw they even raised the price in to and other items people don't care they are all about the money
Very sad
March 24, 2020

In reply to by Princessangel123

I think No one should be left out . We are all hurting even me who pays taxes . All my overtime is gone and that's how I helped my family out . I cant pay my Bill's let alone their which now makes it hard on them . Very sad . Everyone has Bill's and people have lost their jobs ...everyone should get this check .
Nana 28
March 21, 2020
What if you haven't file 2018 taxes yet will you receive a check?
Don't use your…
March 21, 2020
How do u sign up if u havnt done taxes cuz I don’t work.
Richard --TX
March 21, 2020
Everybody who gets any monthly payment from S.S.A. should get the stimulus payments.Period. No politics,No nonsense.
Direta smithon…
March 21, 2020
retired and disabled people receiving either ssi or social security checks are going to be some of the hardest hit finacially during this pandemic. most live from payday to payday and then some still have to eat dog food in order to buy their meds. please please president trump don't forget about people who were already hurting before this horrific pandemic hit us. at least this money can buy food and cleaning supplies to help each american get through the worst pandemic since the 1918 flu.....i pray GOD gives our president the wisdom to do what will help each and every american citizen survive this horrible plague. and may GOD bless and protect the president and his family
JVSWEETS
March 21, 2020
I strongly believe that people on social security because of a disability should be entitled to a stimulus check. I am a single mother with 1 son and I receive a check monthly, but with this virus going around, I have found it hard to make ends meet and privide for my son without myself having to make sacrifices. I am disabled for a legitimate reason and I nor my son should have to pay the consequences of this pandemic virus. I have found myself self isolating with my son because he has asthma and has had various pneumonias in the past. As a parent, I am scared for my son who will soon be a teenager and with that comes hormones and increased appetite. I am going throu hard times. I have always been going through hard times, but as a parent, I don't want to impose fear in my son. So what is a single disabled parent suppose to do to make it through these hard time while trying to protect the sanity of their child who already suffers with anxiety? I could put my disability aside and get a job, but then again, my health would deteriorate and who will care for my son!? We get so little a month that it's hard, and the government should take that into consideration, I am not hogging of the system, I am simply a disabled mom who is trying to raise a child, and help should be available to those on disability!
mariecharacter…
March 31, 2020

In reply to by JVSWEETS

HI JUST TO SHARE WITH YOU, I DID SOME SEARCH AN PEOPLE ON SOCIAL SECURITY, DISIBILITIES,OTHER LOW INCOME WELL BE GETTING A STIMULUS CHECK, AS THIS IS A SERVERE CRISIS. FOR ALL, IF YOU HAVE BANK DEPOSIT, YOU WELL RECIEVE IT, PAPER CHECKS TAKE ALONG TIME. SO DO SOME SEARCHING FIND OUT OTHER INFO, CONTACT SOCIAL SECURITY AN IRS, YOU SHOULD RECIEVE,1.200 AN 500.00 FOR EA CHILD
greeneyes59 61
March 21, 2020
What if I have not filed my taxes for 2018 or 2019 how will I get my check?
FTC Staff
March 23, 2020

In reply to by greeneyes59 61

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

Msjuicy37
April 10, 2020

In reply to by greeneyes59 61

When you find out the answer to this question please let me know. I've been on several different sittes asking this very same question.
Prumestar5
March 21, 2020
Will people that owe back taxes receive stimulus money
cerious george
March 21, 2020
i havent filled taxes in 2 yrs bc i havent made enough to file will i qualify and my husband has never worked but is on disabilty will he qualify
justin19951995…
March 22, 2020
just want to no if the homless going to get help as well because I'm homeless but I just get food share??????
Deborah Wolf
March 22, 2020
I get Ssi i hope to get the $1000 check we need it ...I hope we get it thank u.
Jennie
March 22, 2020
I did not claim my son in 2018. I did claim him on my 2019 taxes. Will I still get the extra 500 for him? I was told they are basing the check amounts off of 2018 taxes.
Bananarama
March 30, 2020

In reply to by Jennie

They will only base it off of 2018 taxes if you haven’t filed your 2019 taxes. Since you have then you should be good and yes If your son is claimed as a dependent on 2019 then you will receive the $500 as well.
Mimi
April 02, 2020

In reply to by Jennie

They are going off 2019 tax returns. They'll only use 2018 if there's no 2019 on file.
Adonis Jordan Walker
March 22, 2020
How will we know when you're going to release currency from the government and send it to us why can't I just wait and fund idk say a direct deposit card instead of us having to wait so long in the mail.
susanfuller
March 22, 2020
Even if we have cash or food stamps how we buying food when grocery stores are closing
Cam
March 22, 2020
How will these checks affect my SSDI monthly check?
melhuff
March 22, 2020
How do u sign up if I don’t have a job and could file taxes
MARLO
March 22, 2020
How do they know who to send checks to
Charles Norfolk 3rd
April 07, 2020

In reply to by MARLO

Like to know if i can receive stimulus check even if i been out of work 18 months n haven't filed taxes.
debbiz1956
March 22, 2020
if i dont file taxes and get social sec. how will i et my check? Do i need to file a certain year please ?
FTC Staff
March 23, 2020

In reply to by debbiz1956

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

KittyLuv2020
March 22, 2020
Is there any news yet about the checks being approved for disabled people receiving money and how they determine the amounts? Also is there any information about additional emergency food stamp (EBT SNAP) benefits for people receiving them already???
Niteme
March 22, 2020
Go figure, they'll find a way not to give to those on SSDI.
Bryan
March 22, 2020
I haven't heard anything about whether those of us on disability will be getting the money, but what I'm wanting to know is, if we do, is there a way to decline the payment? For myself, I don't want any part of it. Yes, the money would be handy but I can survive on my disability payment. I just don't want to be a part of adding this much additional debt to the country. I paid into Social Security for 40 years so I have no issue with receiving my disability but the whole stimulus thing is something very different.
seperated
March 22, 2020
I am separated from my husband. If its based on 2018 we filed married, but filed married separated in 2019, is it stilled based on 2018 taxes? How does that work?
Kristi
March 22, 2020
I understand the official staff reply to all the questions whether or not those of us on ssi/ssdi and veterans will recieve a stimulus and can comletely understand the same repeated reply that the information isnt out there written in stone for any official member on this site to make a reply that everyone would hopefully want to hear. My research on this matter is quite varied as there are always fake news sites or other sites say one thing and give an amount while another says something and a completely different amount. So the information that I share here is not written in stone either as to actual fact or amount but from what I seem to find that our sector of those to benefit is bieng considered as well and that one possibility per Elizabeth Warren states that an option would be an extra 200. per month until 2021 which would total 4000.....AGAIN...I stress this isnt written in stone and the govt is still hashing it all out so dont get your hopes up and dont expect or prematuraly designate any of this as it IS NOT OFFICIAL.....this is only my perspective and opinion per the many news sites that I have been seeking all our answers that we really want to know as the american workers has only been the main topic where we on fixed incomes and low level poverty have not been provided much information at all.......Please honor the staff responses here as they cannot provide what they yet dont officially know either as of yet to give all of us what it is we want to hear.
Scottie34
March 22, 2020
Hi my name is scott Kursinsky I'm just wondering if the Disable are getting money because of this virus
Batman
March 22, 2020
Hey the president said all adults get checks I don’t think that just because I’m disabled and don’t have to file because I don’t make enough on disability to file taxes that I should be skipped, you try raising two little girls on the amount the government gives us, these times are hard on us too. Every time I get a little increase the insurance takes it so just send the people on disability an extra check, my son just started working he’s an adult never had to fill out a tax form yet but this year coming he’ll have to does he not deserve a relief check as well?
Humble lady
March 22, 2020
The president started out saying "all americans", then he changed it too "all american taxpayers" will receive a stimulus check....I pray disabled people get it as well.
jam
March 22, 2020
Family's have changed since 2018, separation or divorces, will they take this into consideration.
Crazyeagle1985
March 22, 2020
Will people on ssi get this check to or not every needs to know is beacuse every is talking that works should get more plus retirement people should get the same amount o err people on ssi should get less then 1,200 let's see what happens here.Plus people are the lower money chain then every one else so I think every should get a check but the tax payer should get more.
Smthcrs
March 22, 2020
FTC, it would be nice if you would tell us more than the same generic message that is being posted. The disabled community would like to know
jeffdog1987
March 22, 2020
I get the general assistance cash benefits of $203 a month that is my income so what I still qualify for the government checks they are sending out to everybody
American Livin…
March 22, 2020
I am a US Expat living abroad. I receive my SSDI via Direct deposit in my US Bank. I filed my taxes for 2019. Will I get my stimulus checks automatically deposited in the same US Bank where I receive my work-earned SSDI benefits?
BDDaveluvWilly
March 22, 2020
I'm a disabled veteran and don't make any taxable income and don't have to file income taxes. Do I get a check and will it be just $600
FTC Staff
March 23, 2020

In reply to by BDDaveluvWilly

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

Krsibase
March 22, 2020
Thank you for the information concerning SCAMMERS. I am aware this is not a post regarding who will get what money, when and how much. That information will come later.
E-Nay
March 22, 2020
When they say all Americans, then ALL AMERICANS should get it REGARDLESS of being on ssi, ssdi, homeless, etc!!! We ALL NEED IT!!!!
Charles Norfolk 3rd
April 07, 2020

In reply to by E-Nay

I'm hoping it works out for everyone n we get passed this.
alan7311
March 22, 2020
Unfortunatly i have seen that the scammers are already doing this. sending out texts saying that there government check is available.
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