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:
Updated link added on April 21, 2020.
It is your choice whether to submit a comment. If you do, you must create a user name, or we will not post your comment. The Federal Trade Commission Act authorizes this information collection for purposes of managing online comments. Comments and user names are part of the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) public records system, and user names also are part of the FTC’s computer user records system. We may routinely use these records as described in the FTC’s Privacy Act system notices. For more information on how the FTC handles information that we collect, please read our privacy policy.
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 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.
In reply to IDK, I'm asking the same by Kia18101
In reply to If I get in my direct Express by Gina
In reply to If I get in my direct Express by Gina
In reply to I have the same question, my by FlyingEagle
In reply to I have the same question, my by FlyingEagle
In reply to If I get in my direct Express by Gina
In reply to I am also wondering, will the by cindy malcolm
In reply to I am also wondering, will the by cindy malcolm
In reply to When and where do i get the by Jamaica jackie
On April 15, the Social Security Administration updated its website to say people who get Social Security retirement, survivors, or disability beneficiaries and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients, and who do not have qualifying children under age 17 do not need to take any action with the IRS. You will automatically receive your $1,200 economic impact payment directly from the IRS. You should receive the automatic payments by direct deposit, Direct Express debit card, or by paper check, just as you would normally receive your Social Security benefits.
In reply to I am also wondering, will the by cindy malcolm
In reply to I am also wondering, will the by cindy malcolm
In reply to I receive SSI and veterans by DTG HYHAND 3
In reply to Are people living on social by Grace to you
In reply to Are people living on social by Grace to you
In reply to Retired teachers here. Exist by Coralie
In reply to Retired teachers here. Exist by Coralie
In reply to Yes you will receive a check by Tre
In reply to Yes you will receive a check by Tre
In reply to Retired teachers here. Exist by Coralie
In reply to Are people living on social by Grace to you
In reply to I'm on social security by Don't use mnl4…
In reply to I'm on social security by Don't use mnl4…
In reply to Are people on SSDI going to by katordog
In reply to I am on SSDI and I get my by Mikbry11
In reply to I am on SSDI and I get my by Mikbry11
In reply to Since I receive my SSDI by Docd6248
Please go to the IRS page about economic impact payments for official updates and information about who is eligible.
In reply to Since I receive my SSDI by Docd6248
In reply to I am on SSDI and I get my by Mikbry11
In reply to I am on SSDI and I get my by Mikbry11
In reply to Are people on SSDI going to by katordog
In reply to Are people on SSDI going to by katordog
In reply to Ok , I m on Ssdi for long by mail address
In reply to From what I read about that by Brainfreeze30
In reply to Well i believe they should by Don't well wus…
In reply to I get Ssi well I get stimulus by Esqdel
In reply to Will ssi payments for by Confusion
In reply to I get Ssi well I get stimulus by Esqdel
In reply to I get Ssi well I get stimulus by Esqdel
In reply to From what I read about that by Brainfreeze30
In reply to I hope so we deserve a check by DonAnnie Hardi…
In reply to From what I read about that by Brainfreeze30
In reply to From what I read about that by Brainfreeze30
In reply to Is this for sure? We will by WARolanD
In reply to Is this for sure? We will by WARolanD
In reply to Is this for sure? We will by WARolanD
In reply to Is this for sure? We will by WARolanD
In reply to From what I read about that by Brainfreeze30
In reply to Finally an answer, I'll be by Larry Terry
In reply to Finally an answer, I'll be by Larry Terry
In reply to Finally an answer, I'll be by Larry Terry
Pagination