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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.

Zebra
March 28, 2020

In reply to by Single dad

I owe back taxes for a number of years, can I get money from the stimulus package
ctlynn
March 28, 2020

In reply to by Single dad

I read this morning that if you owe back child support, you do not receive the stimulus check.
Kmar83
March 28, 2020

In reply to by Single dad

Back taxes, you'll still get a check. Owe child support, highly likely that you will not.
disappointed
March 28, 2020

In reply to by Single dad

I owe back child support but pay some each month for behind due to major health issues but because I’m behind no stimulus but any other money owed to government taxes, student loans, etc are forgiven. I think it’s unfair and a shame.
kittenomanrym…
March 22, 2020
Hi we are on ssi and my kids are we have 5 kids 3 with disabled children are kids getting check to or is it for adults Are people on ssi getting a stimulus check and does it have to be paid back to ssi
Lk
March 28, 2020

In reply to by kittenomanrym…

People on ssi do get them and no dosent have to be paid back
Optimistic.
March 22, 2020
It's good that our Government is taking care of its constituents. Prayerfully; people will be patient with this process so that things go smoothly.
Nmc1057
March 22, 2020
If someone owes back child support with that stimulus check be intercepted like income tax is?
FTC Staff
March 23, 2020

In reply to by Nmc1057

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

atwoodperry.ap
April 09, 2020

In reply to by Nmc1057

If you're paying your child support will you receive your stimulus check
Almighty Bruce
March 28, 2020

In reply to by Nmc1057

They are not supposed to get the check but I would hope they would and it get intercepted.
Reginaldwashin…
March 29, 2020

In reply to by Nmc1057

Thats crazy the stimulus checks should have nothing to do with child support this is a major virus going on we didn't ask to be out of work so i think that's wrong to stop the stimulus check because of child support .now we out of work what we suppose to do about food and bill. I don't think thats right at all
fawn smith
March 31, 2020

In reply to by Reginaldwashin…

I agree!! My husband owes for one other child and we have 2 of our own. And the other mother is going to get my kids stimulus. Makes no sense to me!!
chill1125
April 09, 2020

In reply to by Nmc1057

What if you r about done paying child support and only owe little money
Kbenz1
March 22, 2020
What if your tax’s in 2018 reflected taking money out of stocks for our home. That is considered taxable income but that one year does not reflect actual income from Social Security or employment. How would that work? Or are we just not going to receive a stimulus check at all?
Poor Senior
March 22, 2020
I keep hearing this is for workers who have lost their jobs due to the virus, not for people who’s income has not changed, like recipients of Social Security. I am a senior, and my income has not changed because of the virus, so I do not expect a Stimulus Check. I would rather see families with kids get the help they need, because they can’t work. I basically live in poverty, like a lot of seniors, but can you imagine the amount of money the government would have to spend just for those of us on Social Security? I don’t see it happening. Just my opinion.
D.79
March 27, 2020

In reply to by Poor Senior

Look I understand if ur on social security and dont need it that's fine ,however I do need it DESPERATELY prices have quadrupled since 2018 and idk about u but my check hasnt quadrupled so I'm constantly behind on all my Bill's paying one this month and one another month it's nice to hear ur ok but most all ppl solely on government assistance need the help more then anything
annwebb12
March 27, 2020

In reply to by Poor Senior

If you receive SS and you have worked in your life time the SS you receive is money you have paid in out of payroll deductions so yes you are entitled to receive a stimulus check. I sure will be 1200.00
TGreen216
March 29, 2020

In reply to by Poor Senior

Yes. Anyone receiving Social Security, SSI or SDI WILL receive a stimulus check.
Tracid37
March 22, 2020
Will the people on SSDI receive a stimulus check?
Ms. Cutina
March 26, 2020

In reply to by Tracid37

I receive SSI and I have a 30 year student loan debt that I was tricked into signing when I was a teenager. I'm 47 now and I didn't receive the Obama stimulus either because of the fraud school 30 years ago.
Amandab.
March 22, 2020
I was wondering why it will be just people who filed taxes I get a ss. check and could really use a little help also!! Please think about the ones on ss and disability!! God bless!!
LasVegaskittykat
March 30, 2020

In reply to by Amandab.

Yes. You will get a stimulas check if you get a 1099 for your social security. A 1099 is what you received from SS in the mail usually at the beginning of each year of how much you received. This is non taxable income.
Steven
March 22, 2020
I receive SSI, will I get a stimulus check??
Tammy Blassingame
March 26, 2020

In reply to by Steven

Will people's on SSI will get a stimulus check please let me know
Toha
March 22, 2020
What address will they send it to? Where can we sign up for direct deposit online???
Max Watkins
March 27, 2020

In reply to by Toha

We owe back Taxes and have moved and Changed banks since 2018 will they keep our check for taxes if not how can we register our new bank account for direct deposit
Leogirl18011
March 27, 2020

In reply to by Toha

They will send last address on file on 2018 or 2019 return. If you didn't submit DD info because you owed or owed nothing, they will send paper check as of right now. We can't call IRS to give them DD information.
Brandonvhoff
March 22, 2020
Will people who haven't filed taxes be exempt from the stimulus check, even if they may not owe back taxes?
FTC Staff
March 23, 2020

In reply to by Brandonvhoff

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

uschi1952
March 22, 2020
this a Permanent Residence get a stimulus check 2020 too
VChuck
March 22, 2020
Hoping our Seniors on SS see a check, they shouldn't be denied assistance.
Phillip Rogers
March 22, 2020
Everyone needs help people on SSI and ssd need that money to where we get free food at most of them are closed can't get free bread and food and bus station might be closing soon we all pay tax food tax clothing tax and more
Phillip Rogers
March 22, 2020
He said on the news if u make less then 100000 a year u will get it so people on SSI and ssd getting it or not
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