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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.

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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.

Momindireneed
March 25, 2020

In reply to by nerinnola

Same problem here. I got denied disability. Only living on child support & food support!
bmay1976
March 23, 2020
So president did not sign for Americans to receive stimulas money for family’s one check in April one in May during this pandemic?
teresaewright777
March 23, 2020
I'm not currently working....will I get a stimulous vheck
Renee
March 23, 2020
Is there a form from FEMA out to request checks?
Eyeman
March 23, 2020
I have question in regards to receiving this potential check. I dont have an actual license or State issued ID, its an expired one with a different address from my current one. I only have my passport. I just changed my address and began sending mail to my new one. Will this work or do I need to receive my Drivers ID/State ID?
Don't use your…
March 23, 2020
How do u know if u get it
valeriegregory…
April 15, 2020

In reply to by Don't use your…

I received my 2019 return by check through my preparer. The address was not correct on it, but my bank cashed it. Can I do a correction with the IRS to ensure that they have my correct information?
RIsteve
March 23, 2020
I worked all my life till 2020 when I got stage 4 cancer I payed taxes 2018-2019 the got cancer now on SSI this year will I be eligible and I hope they use 2019 tax to adjust how much I can get I went from make a day to making it a month God bless if someone has the answer
SWAP
April 01, 2020

In reply to by RIsteve

Yes according to literature, you will received $1200 if single and making less than 75k and $500 for each child since you filed taxes. And yes as it reads potentially will get an extra 200 monthly for SS benefits until the end of 2021 us what I understood in the reading
briannamc
March 23, 2020
what i'm trying to know is, is this gonna be for people 18 and up?
Realist
March 23, 2020
Get these people an email address or website where they can update their addresses. Checks sent to the wrong addresses are not going to help those in need. If you don't have one, get on the phone and find a government entity that does. If one doesn't exist find someone in authority that can create one. Then come back here and post the place for them to go to update their addresses so when the checks do come children, families and individuals do not have to go hungry waiting for a check sent to someplace else.
FTC Staff
March 23, 2020

In reply to by Realist

You can find out how to change your address yourself, by typing "change address post office" into the bar of your preferreed search engine.

One of the search results is a government source: USA.gov. 

www.USA.gov/Moving has information about how to change your address with the US Postal service.

harryhaller
March 26, 2020

In reply to by FTC Staff

Will the IRS be using info from the Post Office? Millions of people have moved since filing 2018 taxes. IRS website says it take 4-6 weeks to update the address by form. Nobody answers the IRS phone.
Realist
March 23, 2020
Lol, this is for the person who is reviewing post and only approving those that praise this site. Right now people are dealing with life and death matters however, I assure when things get back to normal I will personally make sure this ridiculous practice is spotlighted and that those perpetrators will be disciplined.
Senior person
March 23, 2020
Those who earn 75,000 annually should be given the lowest amount, the poorest in our country should be receiving the highest. This is called a stimulus package, upper middle class will bank their payment because they have everything they need, the poorest will spend what they get because they will buy the things they have to have. Remember what is happening and who really care about you on election day.
Cathielou
March 23, 2020
I'm on disability and could really use this so needed money. All I have is me no help financially. Will I get a stimulus check? Thank you
Cathielou
March 23, 2020
I hope I get one. The poorest of us NEVER get what the rest do! I worked 37 yrs and paid taxes. SHOULD BE EVERY AMERICAN! In this time of trouble we can all benefit
Tonyjw
March 23, 2020
How doi or what do I do to see if I am elgable for the checks
Steven
March 23, 2020
I am 63 years old and I receive SSI will I still receive a check because it sure would help me out.
James Lunford
April 22, 2020

In reply to by Steven

When will I receive my stimulus check on my Direct Express card
Firefighter
March 23, 2020
Will homeless people get a stimulus package as well? And if so how will they receive it?
FTC Staff
March 24, 2020

In reply to by Firefighter

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

Smoke_dog
March 25, 2020

In reply to by Firefighter

I just asked that same question myself. As a homeless person with the ability to help other homeless get the help they need, if checks were to go to the homeless, I would be helping many get their check. As it is at this time, nobody can tell me for sure that homeless can get a check.r
Jdboy
April 01, 2020

In reply to by Firefighter

If don't have a job at all and have it in a couple years do I still qualify for a stimulus check
Mark DIBello
March 23, 2020
Do americans who are on social.security disability get the stimulus money also?
Sir
March 23, 2020
As a social security disability recipient, what about the etra check for us?
Deborah Kearney
March 23, 2020
I am on disability, I do not file for taxes I do not make enough to file for taxes does this make me exempt from receiving one of these stimulus checks from the government during the Coronavirus?
Deborah
March 31, 2020

In reply to by Deborah Kearney

Deborah Kearney, I am in the same boat as you... Was wondering that myself.
Equality 2020
March 23, 2020
Yes people on disability get a check. Really think about this, it would be straight discrimination not to include those who received SSI or SSDI just be patient.
cookster
March 23, 2020
I see the government is going by the 2018 tax return, that filed married, however, What happens to the stimulus check when we were divorced in 2019 and one parent has the children.
Summer2009
March 25, 2020

In reply to by cookster

What happens if you filed tax as married and now your divorced in 2020
An extremely m…
March 23, 2020
As of today it looks like people on SSDI that do not file taxes will not be given any stimulus check. It makes me sick that the poorest most vulnerable people will not be getting anything after they already live month to month on nothing. Maybe that's what they want...for all the poor sick people to starve or get Corona and die, then they have less people on SSDI..make you wonder doesn't it? What a joke.
Jman
March 27, 2020

In reply to by An extremely m…

Wow these poor people so depressing. I hope they get something. Not right if they dont. Trump needs to save them all now
Twinsdad3102
March 31, 2020

In reply to by An extremely m…

I understand and agree in the same situation . Ssi is barely enough. Both my kids just turned 18 and receive ssi it looks like they are in the group that's not going to qualify. very sad for all those in similar situations
Airplane4673
March 23, 2020
I'm looking for work as I'm out of work will I get that since I'm single parent out of work . Not receiving unemployment as well just snap
Collins88
March 23, 2020
I've been out of work for almost 3 years and applied for disability, i have no income coming in and nothing to file will i get a check?
questioner
March 23, 2020
What if my address is different than the one on my 2018 tax return? Will the stimulus check get lost or stolen? How can I change the address?
rnittygritty88
March 24, 2020

In reply to by questioner

if I was on social security in 2018 not working my address is different now... how can I change my address so I can receive a check?
Consumer23
March 25, 2020

In reply to by questioner

You can go on the IRS website and update your address.
rwg1961
March 25, 2020

In reply to by questioner

IRS form 8822 Change of Address You can download form.
Jennifer1
March 23, 2020
Will single mom who dont work receive a check?
Jburton
March 23, 2020
As usual the government is blowing g off the elderly needing it the most they are now havi g to pay for deliveries etc they dont have funds to do. Back to food medicine
Jystme46
March 23, 2020
Will people on disability such as SSI be entitled to the stimulus check
FTC Staff
March 24, 2020

In reply to by Jystme46

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

Christina74
March 23, 2020
What if your address changes or bank account number from what the IRS has how will I get the check
WonderingifOth…
March 23, 2020
I heard the only way to get the money 8s by filling out the 2020 Census. Is this true?
ROBBROOKLYN
March 23, 2020
QUESTION I OWED REAR CHILD SUPPORT I OWED $13000 I GOT IT DOWN TO A COUPLE OF HUNDRED WILL MY STIMULUS CHECK BE TAKEN FOR CHILD SUPPORT I GET VA AND SSDI
Donwillows't u…
March 23, 2020
IV bin waiting for my pip review dission 6 months haven't heard Nothing I'm on low income IV relayed on food.banks nearly 2years will get help cause Corona virus
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