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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.

Himegyarulolita
March 22, 2020
Will Americans on ssi/ssdi/ disability be getting the coronavirus economic stimulus checks? Because we are the most vulnerable being that we're low income and cant keep up with the inflation rate of consumer products/ prices on a less than $800 check from ssi.
FTC Staff
March 23, 2020

In reply to by Himegyarulolita

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

maliboo81
April 09, 2020

In reply to by FTC Staff

If u already paying child surport will u be Eligible for this check
Carolyn stanley
March 27, 2020

In reply to by Himegyarulolita

I'm disabled my daughter claimed me on her taxes will I get a stimulus check too
Don't use your…
April 07, 2020

In reply to by Carolyn stanley

No you will not recieve a stimulus check if someone has claimed you on their taxes.
Don't umichell…
March 22, 2020
Do women that receive widows spousal's benefits get a stimulus check ?
TieTie
March 26, 2020

In reply to by Don't umichell…

It is based on your income, if you make less than 75k a year you get $1200, it doesn't matter where the income comes from
Pam
March 28, 2020

In reply to by Don't umichell…

Will I receive a stimulus check even though I get a widows benefit?)
LoBRed
March 22, 2020
My direct deposit has changed from 2018 - how will l receive the Coronavirus Stimulus Check? And how will they know how many are in my household? My 2 adult daughters live with me.
roxrod
March 26, 2020

In reply to by luckymom

I had the same question but can’t seem to find the answer anywhere. I’m assuming that it’ll get sent back, thus delaying the process of a paper check ultimately being distributed.
TG418
March 26, 2020

In reply to by luckymom

Who should we contact if our bank account has changed? I have not filed my 2019 return, at this point, I think it may be too late to get it processed in time. Please help!!
Justamom
March 30, 2020

In reply to by luckymom

Same question In 2018 one daughter was 17 and one was 18..neither worked In 2019 one is 18 and one is 19 and only one worked Plus my DD has changed Help
Brenda4856
March 26, 2020

In reply to by LoBRed

Me I received a homily check, and a and both of my grown disabled children's live with me , do I still get a check, we have less income so i dont file taxes. So do i get a check to
Jman
March 27, 2020

In reply to by LoBRed

Go to Gov website n change yur account info. They will know how many children by how many dependents u claimed in 2018
K. K
March 27, 2020

In reply to by LoBRed

You will not get checks for your adult children. They must file taxes or fill out the form for their own checks.
Jake
March 28, 2020

In reply to by LoBRed

Have you got an answer about the direct deposit , I'm in the same boat buty bank account I used for my 2018 taxes is negative $1200 and I haven't used it in about 11 months . So I really don't want my check being deposited there . If anyone finds something out if greatly appreciate it
TERRI
March 29, 2020

In reply to by LoBRed

I have a direct express card that my social security check is deposited on will the stimulus check be sent to that
Broski
March 30, 2020

In reply to by LoBRed

I also changed direct deposit bank account number and am in a panic about what to do proactively. PLEASE ADVISE. Thank you much.
Homeless hippie
March 22, 2020
Will those that are homeless and don't work or get any cash assistance but gets food stamps and medical stuff get or be eligible for these stimulus checks
Annaann60
March 25, 2020

In reply to by Homeless hippie

What about single mothers w /disabled children that don't work
Keke2525
March 27, 2020

In reply to by rarelyo

I have 5 children under the age 5 and I'm a single parent, receiving food stamps and Medicaid only. I keep reading and hearing only people with jobs and SSI will get up. I don't understand this coronavirus does and has not only affected people with jobs, SSI, who filed taxes. I'm an American citizen and my children, we are and have been affected in many ways. Will we receive help to make our environment, and meet in this scary crisis. No one is answering this question. I'm feeling some kind of way... are we the target, family without income resources.
mzanetich41
April 23, 2020

In reply to by Homeless hippie

I haven't worked for years well I get a check thank you
Elizabeth Nobriga
March 28, 2020

In reply to by Homeless hippie

I'm homeless I get food stamps medical can I collect a stimulus check
Acm
March 22, 2020
I receive disability checks but I also work part time, with supported employment, and as a sub-contractor, and I file my taxes 10-99, we have no payroll or unemployment ins. Since we are a 2 manned business. Will social security give more money to supplement income during this time.
Spiro
March 22, 2020
Will people who receive disability checks be eligible? If so how is that factored into their income if at all? For example, I made less than $2500 (disqualifying me) in 2018 from work but above that with the check. However, I didn’t file in 2018, so does this mean that the check will be based off my (taxes yet to be filed) 2019 income? I made over the $2500 cutoff from work alone, but will the fact that I have been receiving benefits as well affect the amount that I receive?
Michelle R.
March 22, 2020
Are those of us who are on SSDI eligible for the stimulus package? If so, what if the Direct Express card is the only banking option we have , will it be deposited into that account?
Don't use your…
March 26, 2020

In reply to by Michelle R.

If I get ssdi and my daughter claimed me on her taxes last year will I still get s stimulus check
ssi disabled …
March 26, 2020

In reply to by Don't use your…

If my mom is disabled. And on SSI and I claimed her as dependent will she get a stimulus?
Margie
March 27, 2020

In reply to by Don't use your…

If I get Sadi and my daughter claims me on her taxes , will I still get stimulus checks
Della Oconnor
March 27, 2020

In reply to by Michelle R.

I would like to know to know the answer also in the same boat
Kari
March 28, 2020

In reply to by Michelle R.

We are going to get one. I was wondering the same thing about the direct express government card.
Sfoxey
March 30, 2020

In reply to by Michelle R.

I was wondering same thing. We don't have a bank account and my disability goes into the direct Express card. Does anyone know yet?
Don't use your…
March 31, 2020

In reply to by Michelle R.

I have direct deposit will it go on my card also I'm payee for my son will he get one also
PL
March 22, 2020
I live in a HUD senior housing complex and our rent is determined by your total annual income. (30% of total income). Will this stimulus payment result in a rent increase for me and others? Thank you.
Christy
March 26, 2020

In reply to by PL

No these payments are considered sporadic income and are not counted towards your rent
@mr.tee..
March 22, 2020
is the socialsecurity issuing stimulus checks too people on ssi do i have to fill out a application where the page or application form
se yotclifforf…
March 22, 2020
I'm on disability 783 s month will we get the 2020 stimulus check
Don't use your…
April 29, 2020

In reply to by se yotclifforf…

I'm raising two grandkids do they get checks
Jenn2680
March 22, 2020
If we have moved how would we receive our check?
K_Joelsen326
March 22, 2020
If a person doesn't have a job will they qualify for the stimulus check?
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