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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 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.

pshafer123
March 23, 2020
I'm wondering if people who owe non-tax federal debt will have the treasury offset program take their stimulus check?
Nicole
March 23, 2020
My son gets a ssi check on April 1st this year that goes direct diapost to the bank will he still get his check on 1st of april even with this corona virrus is still around NEED to know this for sure plz
The truth
March 23, 2020
I bet not when Bush gave a check to every one i didn’t get one so don’t get hope up
Flowers1963Don…
March 23, 2020
What is going to be the amount of the stimulus checks and will there b be 1 check issued per household or 1 check issued per adult in each household.
tlgutier
March 23, 2020
My parents are over 70 years old and get a SS check. They did not file taxes, will they get a stimulus check?
Pepper
March 23, 2020
How will the government know where to send your check? Whether mailing or direct deposit?
Doreen Caputo
March 25, 2020

In reply to by Pepper

Idk but this type of thing has been done before when George W Bush sent stimulus checks to all Americans. I don't exactly know how they did it then but there is a precedent.
CocoNY1226
March 23, 2020
Will ppl with the same address but file single and separate get a check on april 6
bigtone83
March 23, 2020
does the bill include a stimulus check for the non working homeless and poor
FTC Staff
March 24, 2020

In reply to by bigtone83

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

Cody
March 25, 2020

In reply to by bigtone83

That's me and I would love to know because it would change my life
Concerned
March 23, 2020
I’m not homeless but I know some people that are, how will they be able to receive their check if they don’t have an address? Homeless people are displaced Americans that people the have forgotten about. They still live in this world and deserve a stimulus check, times are hard all over not just for taxpayers but for the extremely poor and displaced Americans. Imagine being homeless during this epidemic and alot of the services they received are closed right now. Very sad times indeed
Doreen Caputo
March 25, 2020

In reply to by Concerned

You are absolutely right on this. I think this pandemic is teaching us a great deal about who and what we value in America
78vick
March 23, 2020
What if my address is different now than 2018?
Don't use your…
March 30, 2020

In reply to by 78vick

Make sure the IRS and Social Security have an up-to-date address for you
Nickp
March 23, 2020
Will there be an payment for stay at home parents?My wife makes more than I could so I became the stay at home dad as child care for my 2 sons with special needs would be more than what I could make in a week. VERY expensive in NY. My wife and I file together despite the fact I didn't work last year. Will we both receive a check for help? Thanks.
TieTie
March 26, 2020

In reply to by Nickp

Hopefully you filed a joint tax return even if you do not work, then you get a check if you jointly make less than 150k ($2400)
Tina 5686
March 23, 2020
Will I get check I'm on ssd
elvis9presly
April 03, 2020
I am on Social Security Disibility, and only receive $783.00 a month, it's a struggle to pay my rent and buy food. I have no bank account, my Social Security Disibility is put on a debit card, is that how the Stimulus Relief would be deposited, on my debit card, or would it be a check in the mail ?.
a.ortiz.a1191
April 03, 2020
Will SSI reciepiend who have bi polar and schizo will they be getting the 1000 $ checks from the government
Dogingergirlng…
March 23, 2020
I get 781.08 a month and that covers my rent and utilities barely and im insulted when i applied for foodstamps they gave me 16.00 and i have to do laundry in my bathtub becaus i dont have enough money to go to a laundromatthisis the gov way of keeping.poor people down i cant afford to attend school.or do anything to better myself so dont ask me how i feel put yourself in myshoes youlive on my 781.08 for a couple months
tuxedowilly
March 27, 2020

In reply to by Dogingergirlng…

I'm in the same boat. I get 814.25 a month SSI. Most of that goes to rent and utilities. I do a little better on SNAP and get 87 dollars for food. I have not made enough money to file taxes with for about five years. I suspect I'm sunk.
myUSERNAMEwhy
April 18, 2020

In reply to by tuxedowilly

You should be getting one too! Good luck. Please update.
elva 64
April 03, 2020
Are we getting the Stimulus check April 6 2020 People with SSDI
Don't use your…
March 23, 2020
Will people that get SSI checks receive a stimulas check too? I'm in dire straits !
FTC Staff
March 23, 2020

In reply to by Don't use your…

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

myUSERNAMEwhy
April 18, 2020

In reply to by Don't use your…

Yes, you should. (According to the IRS website). They will use your info available to the state and your direct deposit method.
Sickofbeingpoor
March 23, 2020
If you receive SSI,Disability, food stamps,etc.dont expect any check,since when are these people ever included in anything that has to do with any extra help.NEVER!
bigtone83
March 23, 2020

In reply to by Sickofbeingpoor

you can tell because they don't wanna answer our questions
FTC Staff
March 24, 2020

In reply to by bigtone83

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

myUSERNAMEwhy
April 18, 2020

In reply to by Sickofbeingpoor

I get foodstamps but i received a stimulus April 16. So no, that is not an automatic disqualifier.
pwalters
March 23, 2020
As a retired citizen I greatly appreciate your information..... looking forward to my stimulus...
kirk
March 23, 2020
I was reading that they were talking about increasing monthly disability payments up to $200 a month extra until the end of 2020 .I'm sure I dont know if that will happen, but if it did,I currently get $1143 a month that qualified me for SLMB which is the medicaid program in wisconsin that offers the extra help that pays for the medicare premium of $145 a month.I wonder if they increase that monthly payment by $200 a month for that period of time, would medicaid stop picking up that extra help premium of $145 a month. The increase would now mean you lose the extra help from medicaid leaving you to pay the $145 a month.. ultimately leaving you around $55 a month extra Just a thought
ABTH
March 23, 2020
Will the homeless or people getting foodstamps get this check also? And how will they know where to send it if I'm homeless. Thank you.
Jamesda111
March 23, 2020
If you pay chil support do you still get a stimulus check
hi my name is …
April 21, 2020

In reply to by Jamesda111

I get SSI I been paying child support will I get the check or will you send it to them
Cficken
March 23, 2020
Will those who receive a 1099 for work be able to collect a stimulus check?
Don't use your…
March 30, 2020

In reply to by Cficken

If you received a 1099 the IRS knows about it and you should receive a stimulus check. Make sure your current address is correct
Mignon Colley
March 23, 2020
I see a big problem with payout. The basis for the phaseout is 2018 income. Now with 876,000 divorces per year in the USA. With most kids living with the mother but with this the dad gets the money as head of house and the mother and child gets nothing. If they filed married jointly in 2018.
Tylers_mom28
May 03, 2020

In reply to by Mignon Colley

This is what I'm worried about. Filed jointly with my husband in 2018 but he's filed for divorce and I'm on SSDI and was told to the IRS would direct deposit my stimulus along with other SSDI recipients on April 29th, because they get their info from Social Security. I've still not received mine and it's May 3rd. I know my soon to be ex always files his taxes asap and didn't support us whatsoever and let's us starve so I'm so afraid they sent mine with his. Nowhere on the IRS or ssa sites do they address this situation but yet they stress don't call either one of these government agencies. So what am I supposed to do I wonder when they also kept stressing not to use the filing tool if you were on SSDI with no child 16 and under. Which I think is also unfair since my youngest son just turned 17 on December 12th so I don't get the extra $500 for him
Need To Know
March 23, 2020
If a person owes child support, will they receive the check or child support?
Don't use your…
March 23, 2020
I am currently receiving ssi benefits,with little food stamp benefits. My daughter had her ssdi benefits taken away,and,no food stamps or health benefits. I am supporting both of us on one check. I do believe I am eligible for a stimulus check.
Surely concerned
March 23, 2020
If this pay out happens will child support in the state of Massachusetts intercept the stimulus payment
FTC Staff
March 24, 2020

In reply to by Surely concerned

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

Rhode island steve
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
nerinnola
March 23, 2020
I have not made enough money to have to file a tax return in years. Does that mean I won't get one of these checks? Seems like it's those of us who earn so little that we don't even need to file a tax return are the ones that need this help the most. Thank you for any info.
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