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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.

Wadage
March 25, 2020
Have a 24 yr old living at home with type one diabetes among other issues. We do not claim him as a defendant and has never had a job. Does he get a check too.
Healing for ou…
March 25, 2020
Will the people who work for nursing homes and assisted living that don’t make 30,000 a year see a check
Healing for ou…
March 25, 2020
Do you need to fill out a Twenty20 senses for this year in order to get the stimulus package
Healing for ou…
March 25, 2020
What if I’m not Mary this year will still be able to get a stimulus package being single
Fran
March 25, 2020
I’m on Disabled Widows Benefits from my late husband. Will I receive a check?
Jim Bob
March 25, 2020
Now that the stimulus has been agreed upon, there is STILL no response from ANY Government official concerning how Much people on Social security or Disability will Get, since most Do not earn enough to File. Whom do ask?
Deb
March 25, 2020
I don't have the same bank account as last tax filing. What will happen with my money? Thank You
bop
March 25, 2020
I took out retirement 401k money last year is gov using that money as income towards the 75 or 150k limits
PPerkins
March 25, 2020
What is the age eligibility for the individual stimulus check? 18 or 21
God's with us
March 25, 2020
It would make sense to stimulate all the people. Even more so with our lower and poor. You can't stimulate growth, health and care if anyone is forgotten or left out. It would literally be like God and all his heaven showing up today and shutting his doors to anyone, as most people think he would. God bless everyone out there. Stay safe, keep hope, and remember we are all fighting for the same thing, and leave some toilet paper for other to buy. Not all can get to the store or need to buy 6/24 packs. That's how it happens. Be mindful please.
Jarena7680
March 25, 2020
Am I still entitled to a stimulus check if I'm collecting temp SDI?
lynn
March 25, 2020
What do you do if bank that IRS has from last years taxes has changef
amberrrose
March 25, 2020
I am divorced for over a year now and with the government going off 2018 taxes- we were married, filing jointly. I have already filed my 2019 taxes and my income has changed dramatically. I have full custody of our daughter- am a hairstylist (so out of work) and been caring for our child 100%. Help please!!
denisepshafer
April 03, 2020
I know that these checks are being mailed out based on a family's 2018 tax returns. Since that time, my husband lost his job in April of 2019 and now makes 1/3 what we used to make. Can you let me know what department I can contact to amend our financial situation?
reginaldrafel
April 03, 2020
Will homeless people get their checks, from the stimulus package.
SuperRambo622
March 25, 2020
Will all veterans get the stimulus check regular and disable that has dependents on there VA check weather they file taxes or not.
Sjanuary40
April 03, 2020
I need money now..i have none ..my state disability has been delayed..
Heather61
March 25, 2020
I collect Social Security Disability but have incurred a lot of extra expenses as I have been told by Dr. to stay home. If they approve the checks would I qualify?
GARY KANOFF
March 25, 2020
I AM ON. SSDI. SOCIAL SERCURITY DISABILITY INCOME IF THEY PASS THIS MONEY WHEN THEY DECIDE WILL I GET A CHECK I AM DISABLE
PPerkins
March 25, 2020
What is the age eligibility for the individual stimulus check? 18 or 21
Betty jo campbell
March 25, 2020
I have seizures a mental disability and a crushed knee and can barely get around with help even I have my seventy year old mom that helps I don't draw a good stamp or disability check even and it is trying to be passed everyone gets all this money I have screws and plates on top of it that holds my right foot on legally blind and before imprisonment I drawed disability. And I completed sap with several other programs. I'm past struggling to live with a sciatica nerve in each hip crippling arthritis and up to 14 back injuries a cyst on both hands three hand surgeries left knee no cartridge what about the ones disabled with new injuries still waiting disability do they or will they get anything for I don't even have appointment for disability Dr to may and I cry most often cuz I depend on others or community organizations to eat my mother seventy and retired and not very well herself what about me or others like me or the ones on disability already do they not get sicker the money for workers great thing but what about those not got a cent and truly can't work
Cherchiquita
March 25, 2020
Will ssi recipients get a stimulus ckeck an
PearlE
March 25, 2020

In reply to by Cherchiquita

No one on SSI will be getting a check. AS OF 3/25/2020
Momma
May 01, 2020

In reply to by PearlE

Don't know where you got your information from, but you are wrong. It clearly states on the IRS website, that if you receive either SSI or SSDI you WILL receive stimulus check which will be sent to the account your benefits are being directly deposited in
Dottie Gadpetone
March 25, 2020
I am a single grandmother raising my two grandchildren I receive government assistance will I be getting a stimulus check for my two grandkids
FlashSPP
March 25, 2020
I am divorced with 3 children that live with their mother. I made over 100K in 2018 but was able to claim 2 out of the 3 children on my tax return as per our divorce agreement. Will I receive any monies as part of the stimulus package?
jazzmen92
March 25, 2020
I've had an additional child since my 2018 tax return, have moved and hot married. My newborn hasn't been claimed on any taxes. Will he be excluded from my stimulus?
Jess
March 25, 2020
What if single parents now have their children this year? How are we to let the government know they are in the opposite parent that claimed taxes for the children of say year they are going by with taxes
dd
March 25, 2020
If I don't have a direct deposit set up with the irs, can my stimulus check be sent based my SS direct info?
Scribe
March 25, 2020
Would a self-employed taxpayer from Canada, who is a green card holder and permanent resident of 19 years, with an 18 y/o US-born dependent (student) qualify?
Bev
March 25, 2020
I don't trust news sources. I want info from the government.
Gutz
March 25, 2020
Disabled Vet's received small checks back when Bush did something similar but I can't answer the question in regard to if we will this time, DV's can spend a little extra money to help stimulate the economy as well as anybody so I don't see why not. Maybe even purchase something we normally couldn't afford with our stipends. I could use a new pair of boots myself, yes it gets that tight being a disabled Veteran most of the time. Utility bills have been extra painful this year.
tlafar
March 25, 2020
Despite all the news coverage it is not clear to me if people on social security with low income who are not tax payers are included in the 2020 stimulus package. It would seem those who are already struggling paycheck to paycheck should be considered. We have been tax payers throughout our life.
Momma
May 01, 2020

In reply to by tlafar

Yes people on SSI or SSDI will receive stimulus checks go to www.irs.gov and look for who is eligible etc. The account where your SSI or SSDI is being directly deposited to is where it will be sent .
LKA_resident
March 25, 2020
I accepted an early retirement offer from my company last November. Currently my pension is about 1/4 of what my AGI was in 2018. Using my 2018 income to calculate my stimulus check will greatly reduce my benefit. Is there going to be a grievance procedure to challenge the payout??
Valerie06t
March 25, 2020
I was wondering if people o. SSI and social security will get stimulus checks for to the Covid 19 pandemic?
Steves
March 25, 2020
If i am 24 and my mom still claims me on her taxes but i still work and do my taxes every year will i get the stimulus?
cj
March 25, 2020
I owe for taxes, will I get a stimulus check?
Homeless ppl t…
March 25, 2020
I'm disabled and homeless living In a camper with no running water. Relying on my wife who works . Her hours were not totally gone one of her THREE jobs is a grocery store. Guess we only get 1200. This is a drop in the bucket.
Colette
March 25, 2020
I divorced in 2019. The last the IRS knows is I was married filing jointly and at HIS address using a (now closed) joint checking account. How is this going to work for me?
Kjamerson1130
March 25, 2020
This morning they came to some agreement. I was confused about them going according to fed taxes filed. How would a person who doesn’t file receive a stimulus relief check? (Disables w/ children or single)
Dmother21on't …
March 25, 2020
Are veterans that receive disability pension getting the stimulus check?
Mmh 1019
March 25, 2020
Question. If filed married during tax period reviewed, but divorced now. We met the criteria, but how will it be separated?
Egang2010
March 26, 2020

In reply to by Mmh 1019

It won't. If u filled direct deposit it will go there. Ull have to ask ur other half. I've been there.
marilynkitt
April 21, 2020
What do I need to do so get stimulus check while I am on SSDI?
Bshirts
March 25, 2020
My boyfriend and I just moved I together and he has custody of his 6 kids. Two of their mothers haven't seen them in months and doesn't pay her child support, but she had custody in 2018 tax filing. The mother of the other 4 children only sees them every other weekend and pays the minimum child support requirement. She claims them on taxes because my boyfriend is on SSI. I'm supporting my 4 kids and his 6 kids as an LPN. Will the mother of his kids get the stimulus benefit because they claim them on taxes?
fawn smith
March 30, 2020

In reply to by Bshirts

I’m kinda in the same boat and can’t find the answer. I’m on social security so I let my kids father claim them on his taxes. But he owes child support for other kids from previous relationship. So he won’t get stimulus, which is ridiculous but whatever! But since he claimed the does that mean I’m asked out on that money?!
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