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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.

cjackson
March 25, 2020
I just retired at age 61 and am now 62. I have been receiving Social Security widows Benefits and am scared to death I will not be included in the Stimulus help. To the point of not being able to sleep or eat. Because my son is out of work due to this my entire check is going to household payments, yet I won't be included, Scary. I am embarrassed by how a President can hurt we the retirees, who put in years of hard work. Thank you so much for listening.
happy79
March 25, 2020
I’m on ssi will I receive a stimulus check
Steph
March 25, 2020
The IRS offset my 2019 tax refund for some social security debt. Can they take my stimulus check...I'm concerned Im unemployed and I'm running out of food and everyday items
Smoke_dog
March 25, 2020
Will the homeless get anything? As a homeless person, I dont know how to or where to look to see if homeless quality to get checks. Chances are, if your homeless, you not get anything except maybe the coronavirus.
willp82
March 25, 2020
I am a disabled veteran living abroad with no address in the US. Would I get a check and if so how could I receive it?
FTC Staff
April 23, 2020

In reply to by willp82

Get information from the IRS questions and answers at irs.gov/coronavirus/economic-impact-payment-information-center.

Answer # 31 says U.S. citizens living outside the country are eligible for the Payment. Anyone eligible to file Form 1040 or Form 1040-SR is an eligible person if they have a valid SSN and can’t be claimed as a dependent of another taxpayer. 

mo.gov
March 25, 2020
I’m curious to know if people who are unemployed also get the checks?
Bigb@
April 21, 2020
I worked some but I get SSDI OR SDI I live buy my self first time it's hard but I get buy if I get a check I will donate I live on Roman noodles lol
Loveleigh8484
March 25, 2020
Yes, I am a single mother and I draw disability ssa and I was wondering if I qualify and if I receive it exactly how much money will I receive. If will definitely help me and my child. Thank you in advance
bigtone83
March 25, 2020
on Tuesday march 24th 2020 senate passed a 2 trillion dollar stimulus package will non working poor Americans receive a check?
Awh409
March 25, 2020
I think the question we need to ask is Will this be a loan that we must repay next tax season? Will it be tax free? Or is it literally free money to stimulate the economy?
Birdlegs1972
March 25, 2020
I don't file taxes will I receive a 2020 stimulus check and if so how do give them correct address
Deenalazani
April 23, 2020
The best way for people to survive
Corygi
March 25, 2020
If you didn't file tax in 2018 or2019 do you still get a check
rhartley50
March 25, 2020
so as my understanding people on SSI and Social Security will not be receiving a stimulus check?
Owen1968
March 25, 2020
My fiance an I receive ssi benefits due to heath reasons. Will we receive any money from the stimulus package.? Neither of us filed taxes
Don't use yout…
March 25, 2020
How do I get my check?
turicka7
March 25, 2020
So do everyone get it even people who get ssi
Ellieg
March 25, 2020
I'm 72 and need to work to survive. I'm in real estate and now my contracts are falling because there has been a stop on the mortgage process that my clients are using. Ten thousand on the books and NOTHING closing. My checkbook has a $200 balance but technically I'm still self employed. I'm in a panic! Looks like I won't get a stimulus check and don't qualify for unemployment. Now what?
Bonnie Goodell
March 25, 2020
Please I need glasses that my Ins. will NOT cover, car tabs in Washington State passed a $30 fee but is being held up by a Judge? please help!!! I CAN NOT SEE VERY GOOD THE GLARE GIVES ME A HEAD AKE. WILL PEOPLE ON DISADLED GET ONLY $781 MO WILL WE GET $1,200 ?????
pc626
March 25, 2020
How will we receive the checks, and what if we no longer have the same bank account as we did when we filed our taxes?
Donna
March 25, 2020
Will people living on Social Security get a stimulus check?
robert
March 25, 2020
Do people on disability receive a stimulus check?
ssmith1116
March 25, 2020
What about the people who were married in 2019? They are going back to 2018 taxes. Then, I will get shorted
Big Slim
March 25, 2020
do I have to sign up to receive a stimulus check?
Douglas Mitchell
March 25, 2020
If your staying with friends or family do you receive a check to
Randy912
March 25, 2020
Will retired seniors and people on disability get a check from the$2trillion relief package? Also it was mentioned that retired seniors and disabled would get $200 each month added to their check from now until the end of 2021 is that correct?
SINGLE MOM
March 25, 2020
I got 50/50 custody, he just was granted the right to claim our child for 2019, does this mean he gets the $500 for her? It doesn't seem fair considering I have taken care of her up until last year when he took me to court to get 50/50. I think the $500 should be split between two parent meaning both 2018 and 2019 tax returns should be used.
Shay
March 25, 2020
Do people on SSDI receive a stimulus check? I'm battling brain cancer and don't receive hardly anything at all..
David
March 25, 2020
Will ssd and SSI receive a stimulus check
Patty
March 25, 2020
I'm disabled and do not make enough money to have to file taxes (I make below poverty level). Will I and people like myself that do not make enough money to have to file taxes be getting a stimulus check?
Lorel Massey
April 03, 2020

In reply to by Patty

I am a caregiver I don’ make enough money to file taxes to fill out 1040 . Do I qualify for a stimulus check..?
Samikayt87
March 25, 2020
The new package discussed says they will be using 2018 tax year to figure out who gets money. We have had custody of my stepdaughter since July of 2018, but her mother claimed her for that year. How would we make sure that we get the stimulus check for the child and not the mother who is not involved, there is a court order and custody plan in place.
Patty
March 25, 2020
I'm disabled and do not make enough money to have to file taxes (I make below poverty level). Will I and people like myself that do not make enough money to have to file taxes be getting a stimulus check?
Grandparents
March 25, 2020
We are on disability and retirement. That's all the money we get a month. We are raising are 3 grandchildren as of May 2019. We did not work last year so we did not qualify for the earn income. So are we going to get any of this money the government is going to be sending out. And no we don't get food stamps or anything. They says we make to much.
Mike
March 25, 2020
I’m on disability will I be getting a stimulus check
Fred Mertz
March 25, 2020
Will a retired married couple on Social Security that has filed their 2019 taxes jointly get a check? If so will there be two checks? One? Or none?
Cryingforyou
March 25, 2020
Will Veterans and people on social security get a check from trump ? And will those thousands of people already on paid family medical leave and being paid for it now get a check ?..if so..THEY SHOULDN'T..Because if their company does shut down because of this coronavirus, they weren't laid off..they had already taken their PAID FAMILY MEDICAL LEAVE BEFORE THEIR COMPANY SHUT DOWN!!!!..Whuch means they were not DISLOCATED..if SS AND Veterans don't get part of that stimulus package..Neither should they..Even though they filed taxes last year..
duke2020
March 25, 2020
I only get 700.00 a month on SS will i get a stimlus check?
Married with kids
March 25, 2020
Are green card holders eligible? What happens if your spouse is a legal resident, but the rest of the family are us citizens?
Pamemckee
March 25, 2020
Will me and my grandson get this stimulate check I'm on disiblity and raise my grandson and If so how will I get it
Scrappy61
March 25, 2020
Will me and my grandson get this stimulate check I'm on disiblity and raise my grandson and If so how will I get it
idealinvintage
March 25, 2020
I assume the bill has finally been voted on. I am thankful to find a place to find answers from the government. I am hoping that there are some funds for the elderly and those on SS as my raise this year amounted to $15.00 after paying the increase medicare. Seniors in my position on ss need assistance. Thank you
Cyclones2014
March 25, 2020
Just wondering who is suppose to recieve these checks? Also will we eventually have to pay this back? And last what if we don't want this check if we are able to receive these checks? Just curious I know nothing is set please answer if able. Thank you!
Yvonne
March 25, 2020
How does a homeless person get a stimulus check,?
Soonergrif
March 25, 2020
I dont have that bank account anymore and have moved. How will the government know where i am now?
Don't use your…
March 25, 2020
My wife and I are both on disability ,will we get a check ?
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