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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.

SOCIAL SECURIT…
March 27, 2020
SOCIAL Security recipients SHOULD receive help grom the stimulus bill. Michael Spadaro Not being able to go shopping for food became very costly calling for a delivery of food, Tips alone took most of my social security benefits.
LR
March 27, 2020
So i owe back childsupport so that means i dont need gelp in thos situationi dont underztand that
a1i579
March 27, 2020
My husband owns child support we have 2 kids together 5&1 years old I know he won’t get stimulus check cuz he owes back child support but my question is do me and my kids get or checks or not?
Mrs S
March 27, 2020
Hello, I am on SSDI after working for 37 years. My husband was on SSI since he is also disabled, but when I received my SSDI we were told my income was too high for my husband to keep receiving SSI. So we have been living on my income since September 2016. So will my husband and I receive 1200$ or $2400? Thank you.
veteranwonder
March 27, 2020
Are veterans who get compensation checks included? Some income is non taxable?
Catmom123
March 27, 2020
My husband owes back child support and is currently on unemployment. Married couples are to get $2400. Does that mean they're taking half, all of it, or none?
AmybMorney19
April 03, 2020
If my husband owes back child support,will that stop me from getting money?
Fleedy1
March 27, 2020
Will Ohio employee retirement disability individuals receive a stimulus check. And surviving spouse's that receive Veteran DIC payments receive a check.
Noah
March 27, 2020
I am a Dad who owes child support due to being laid off. But been paying regular. I have 2 kids who live with me now. Would I still be eligible for stimulus.
Evinerin13
March 27, 2020
Husband and I filed together this last year so will I still have my part of the stimulus check even if we filed together and he owns on child support
QuinnnHarley
March 27, 2020
Hello, My husband is behind on child support because there have been issues with getting a modification with the courts due errors on the agency's part. We filed married jointly in 2018. Will we receive our checks? Half? Any?
Carmen
March 27, 2020
Do we have to have direct deposit to receive the check faster?
Jtrem
March 27, 2020
Will single stay at home moms that haven’t filed taxes get the stimulus package. I have been home with my kids for 3 years now and haven’t filed taxes. Will I get a check as well?
sanina617
March 27, 2020
If I filed married and my husband owes child support will I still receive a check for me and my children
FathersHaveRights
March 27, 2020
So let me get this right. I pay my child support out of my check every pay for the last 3 years. I was out of work dealing with personal issues. When that time past I got into arrears and still making my payments. So now when the stimulus check comes I don't get it because I owe back? I just had my last three years tax refund intercepted owe about 1k in arrears now and my work is laid off due to the virus. So thinking this money was going to help but now realizing its not coming and me and my second son are going to be in trouble. How can everything else debt wise be forgiven except this.
Lemyra
March 27, 2020
Since the people that owe child support are not getting a check, will that money be giving to the person they owe money to?
Hotze totz
March 27, 2020
If i get a disability check will i get a check?
T burrows
March 27, 2020
Will we stimulus check it my husband owes back support we have custody of 7 other children.
D n't use your…
March 27, 2020
Do people who owe the government Still receive the coronavirus stimulus check
Babjt1972
March 27, 2020
I am disabled but owe back child support. I currently don't have money that they can come after. Will I get a check?
Tag82009
March 27, 2020
If my husband owes back child support and she gets all our tax refund every year will she also get his stimulus check plus mine and our sons
MadMomma
March 27, 2020
if my husband owes back child support and we file taxes together will the full amount of the stimulus check be taken from both of us or will I receive my share and the money for my daughter? Or we'll all the money go to his ex-wife?
Singlemommaof2
March 27, 2020
What do I do if I closed my bank account that I got my taxes in and I also filed jointly with my ex we just split it to are own accounts will he get all of it ?
bmar
March 27, 2020
What if I am financially supporting a domestic partner that is unable to work due to pre existing illness that is not on disability and unemployed. Will they be eligible for a stimulus check as well?
Jduggins
March 27, 2020
I owe very little on back child support and I’ll pay it directly out of every paycheck and I am current and up-to-date being that this is an emergency relief check will I still get mine? Will they take the whole amount of the relief check?
Angie
March 27, 2020
Can you get a separate check from your spouse
C&C
March 27, 2020
Will I get a check if I have been paying on backed child support without fail? Or is it not for people who are not paying at all?
Aspers
April 23, 2020

In reply to by C&C

Did you receive any of your simulation check?? I own back child support but being paying on it for five years straight every week out of my check just wanting to find out of I will get something back ?? Did you ??
Gma1
March 27, 2020
A year ago my grandchildren court ordered removed and placed with me. I get a VA check due to my husband’s service related disability death and I receive a pension check. I do a little work on the side still. But not having my grandchildren last year how will the government know that I have them this year to be able to get funds for them as well?
Sharon
March 27, 2020
My husband was laid off January 2018, it put him behind in child support for his oldest kid. He was only out of work 2 month,,I'm hearing if he owes child support we wont see any stimulus ck, we are married with 2 other kids together , we really need the help.
Steven
March 27, 2020
People on SSI and SSDI should get part of Coronavirus stimulus package. They put their year's in. Now because they live in poverty they get nothing, outrageous. I voted for Donald Trump!
Me shell
March 28, 2020
I’ve been waiting on my ssdi case for 3 years I haven’t worked will I get a check ??
Bboomertxpyr
March 28, 2020
I am a 61 year old woman who worked very hard since I was a child doing work for neighbors and worked day and night for many years my whole life until I became disabled. I did many jobs and obtained OJT training and schooling in many fields on my own. I did many non traditional jobs and was in the Navy Seabees reserves. I did lots of manual labor. I am disabled now and receive SSDI as my only income. I'm extremely below poverty..I am a baby Boomer! I speak to all my fellow baby boomers that helped build this country up! It's as bad as not recognizing a veteran who strived to save our freedom! We baby boomers are this nation's foundation for many years. Most of us are either passed away or disabled due to many reasons. Hard work and struggling asTax Payers throughout our able years! We should not be forgotten as our military VETERANS should not! I really appreciate this site! Thank you for helping me see some light at the end of the tunnel that's not an oncoming train!
JudeH
March 28, 2020
I see all these questions about if we are going to receive a stimulus payment if we receive social security disability. I don’t see any answers. I read on ARRP that we will get the stimulus payment. Do they not answer the questions on here?
Don't use your…
March 28, 2020
Do single women with more than 1 baby father qualify
stressed spouse
March 28, 2020
Our taxes were taken due to husband owing back child support. Will they take both our stimulus checks because of that?
Concern parent
March 28, 2020
Do single women with more than 1 baby father qualify
Alice3
March 28, 2020
Amazing
Singlemom
March 28, 2020
If you are owed back child support, will you recieve what the non custodial parent would have gotten for stimulas check for arrears?
Singleboymom
April 03, 2020

In reply to by Singlemom

I was wonderful this also. My kids dad is behind a few thousand. He and his new wife file married but separated so she still gets the money for their 2 kids and the IRS cant take it from them to catch him up. I was also wondering if they take his stimulus check will I get it.
Robby07171983
April 21, 2020
The one's that are receiving food stamps will we receive more stamps ???
Bl0687
March 28, 2020
Will ke amd my husband still recieve a stimulus check if he owes back child support? We filed married with injusred spouse, I'm unable to work due to corona until april 30 or later, a baby due any day now and 3 other kids in the home! He pays monthly child support on time and kids are grown that he is paying on, will we at least get a portion of the stimulus check?
Single parent
March 28, 2020
If u owe back child support will u get a stimulus check
Grandparent ra…
March 28, 2020
I am single Grandparent raising four Grandchildren, I get a small Social Security check, I don't file taxes so how will the government find me?
Wyatt g
March 28, 2020
Will people on ssd get their stimulus on their direct express card?
Crystaldc32
March 28, 2020
My husband owes child support debt that offsets are ya es will this deduct from our stimulus check? It’s not clear in the bill?
charlie6495
March 28, 2020
Will active duty military members receive a 2020 stimulus check? If so, will the amount follow the same guidelines as the rest of the people in the US that will receive the checks.
Concerned Spouse
March 28, 2020
My wife owes child support to her ex. We have 3 kids of our own. We've always filed our taxes jointly. How will it affect our stimulus check?
Cecelia
March 28, 2020
I got custody of my cousin in February 2020, and her mother filed for her in 2018, will her mom get the stimulus check for her even though I have custody? Is there anything that I can do to ensure I get the check?
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