Skip to main content
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.

Topics
Shopping and Donating
Health
Jobs and Making Money
Unwanted Calls, Emails, and Texts

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 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.

Linda Anderson…
March 28, 2020
Am on disabilyu will i get a check
Lindalee
March 28, 2020
Will ssi receipiant still receive a stimulus payment if they were filed as a dependant on someo es tax return
Bananarama
March 30, 2020

In reply to by Lindalee

No. Can’t get it if someone claims to as a dependent.
chay
March 28, 2020
i didnt have a job in 2018-2019 so no tax return to get do i still qualify for stimulus check?
Onika
March 28, 2020
Will any Veterans or Disable, Retired will they receive anything?
.
March 28, 2020
I was informed that my whole family will be disqualified even if 5 of us are U.S. citizens just becuase my husband has an ITIN which really sucks becuase I am listed as an disaster relief worker becuase I work for the county and we are not taken in consideration. I do feel very upset becuase I'm taking it like my family doesn't matter.
Rmckinney
March 28, 2020
Will I receive my share of stimulus even if my husband has back child support and they will take his
fast k
April 16, 2020

In reply to by Rmckinney

I’m wondering the same thing cuz I have the same issue
Robert
March 28, 2020
So people who owe back child support wont get a stimulus check.how is that fair.they take my taxes which is fine.money comes out of my check every week to go to support and back pay.its not like im not paying or avoiding it by not working.so basically this isnt to help the whole economy.while our childs other parent gets double the money we are left to suffer.but every ither payment is waived and excluded out of this.i have list all faith in this country.
Chevy20
March 28, 2020
I was diagnosed last march with seizures and severe others disorders and i filed to terminate my current child support and have my back support eliminated. I have 4 children at home that I support on TANF. My mther has custody od ny other four and has 4 adults living in her house with income. Will I receive my stimulus package to get diapers wipe and hand sanitizer and etc for my children or will state take it for the back owed support. I feel like this is wrong if they do this is like tellling me and my children I have living at home that there siblings living at there grandparents are more important then they are. I can't help that a disability has over taken me life. Please any advice or help would be great. Thank you.
Chrisl
March 28, 2020
I filed 2018 and 2019 taxes because I worked part time those years and I'm on dad I will I get a check?
schaff42280
March 28, 2020
I am on disability if u are on ssi ssdi retirement benefits yes u will get the stimulus check 1200 single 2400 married and the 500 per child as long as it is within the amount guidelines
Chrisl
March 28, 2020
I filed 2018 and 2019 taxes and I'm on ssdi will I get a check?
LLT
March 28, 2020
What about the college students that worked and filed taxes already this year for 2019? Will they receive the $1200? They can't work right now and still have a lot to pay for.
Oscar's grandson
March 28, 2020
Long retired, we live on SS and a tiny pension. Have not filed taxes in many years. When I calculate them, it always comes out that we owe zero, and the instructions say "do not file if you don't owe". Do we qualify and how will we/they know?
LynJernigan
March 28, 2020
What is you owe child support and on ssi will they get a check?
SEB
March 28, 2020
What about college students claimed by parents? If they worked they should still receive a check since we as parents aren’t receiving a child credit for them.
Shoshie
March 28, 2020
My husband owes back child support, would that effect my kids and me getting it?
Shane
March 28, 2020
Will I get my ex wife's stimulus Check if she owes me back child support?
mare
March 28, 2020
Since people on unemployment are getting extra funds do people still working and putting their lives at risk in the public . Get anything extra?
Ndtuff
March 28, 2020
I get ssi and it comes on my direct express card, will I get that stimulus payment on my card or will it get mailed to me??
Don't use your…
March 28, 2020
Hi. I know a couple ladies who live with their mother and grandmother. They do not get nothing from no where no one. Food stamps I think. They take care of their mother and grandmother. How would they get their check?? I’d there a place they can out their names I. With social security numbers and address so they too can get their checks??
mar_vzqz
March 28, 2020
So I have seen that the money would be direct deposit if we received it like that. But my question is if we had it where we had irs sent to the bank of our tax person and his bank forwarded it to us how would that work?
Ricardo
March 28, 2020
How am i getting direct deposit if last year account number I had, I canceled the account
roseth
March 28, 2020
So I moved out in November 2019 but my mom claimed me on her taxes bc I was with her most of last year. Since I’m living on my own am I still getting a stimulus check even tho she claimed me last year?
tinatina
April 18, 2020

In reply to by roseth

Will I receive a check because I am on social security disability receiving a check each month even though I've been used evey year a dependent on my oldest brothers tax return?
strugglin
March 28, 2020
Couple questions PLEASE IF ANYONE CAN HELP... First... I'm a single dad and I lost my job from having a sick kid and missing work so i'm not getting unemployment or any income right now I was getting ready to go to a new job but they shut down so I'm really struggling , am I eligible to apply for the unemployment benefits for the 4 months or no...???... second... I've really been depending on this stimulus check to come thru so I can get our bills paid and feed my kids but since I lost my job I'm behind in child support but still do wut I can with wut I have and her parents are loaded so she's not hurting at all and I take very good care of my kids ... are they really going to punish me for that, how am I goin to live and feed and take care of my kids when I have them if I have no money, food, or a place ...??? And last... Do you get money for all persons you claimed for 2019...???
FlyingEagle
March 28, 2020
I am on Social Security Disibility, which is deposited on a debit card each month. Because my yearly income is below the leval to where I need not file tax return, and I moved 3 months ago, the IRS does not have my current address, while the Stimulus Check be deposited on my debit card ?
Faizon85
March 29, 2020
I have question. I did not file taxes since 2010 based on the fact I've been fighting disability since 2010 in the appeals process for 10 years. I'm labeled permanently disabled by a few doctors and I cannot or have not worked would I be eligible?
Americangirl87
March 29, 2020
To everyone asking yes SSI ssdi and vets are receiving a stimulus check it's all over the news now
LaLuna
March 29, 2020
I make well under $20,000 a year. I file my taxes. And yes 2018. Haven't got to file 2019 yet, do I qualifi?
Kacey kacey
March 29, 2020
This pandemic has nothing too do with child support this is a situation that's dealing with life and death that's beyond our control how can the president the Senate the Democrats and house vote on helping the American people but turn around and hurt us altogether by talking about child support child support and this pandemic is too different situations just a apple isn't a vegetable wat the hell is really going on.
SusanAnthony5m
March 29, 2020
I had to quit working due to 13 Magor Surgeries, plus still Took care of My Aunt then My Mother. Causing a lapse in work. So I can only receive SSI. Yet I know PPL who collect $40 in SSDI, more per than Me and they will receive the Stimulus Money. I worked since I was 12 yrs Old, (babysitting) My whole life but refused to take Money from My Dying Aunt then My Dying Mother. (Which was 6yrs then 8 Yrs.) Therefore I'm considered a Welfare Receiptiant. This is so unfair. I'm broke by the 10th of the month. I'm offended being called A Welfare Recipient, because the lapse of work was through no fault of My own. Family comes First. Caregiving is extremely hard. Especially when it is Family. I'm so disqusted.
Momma b
March 29, 2020
I am on a.s.i. disability. I had an arrearage on child support. I paid it down to 4000 dollars. Because I get disability they told me I wasn't liable for the remaining 4000 will I be eligible for the stimulus money
MikiMichelle
March 29, 2020
I have been separated for over 1 year but 2019 we file together however we have been separated the entire year of 2019 will I get my check to my house? Or will he get it?
lillith
March 29, 2020
What about people who cant work due to mental health, but get no government assistance and have no income and is not a dependent? They don't qualify, do they?
Dre
March 29, 2020
I on SSI and owe child support, what should I expect?
roblak67
March 29, 2020
my husband owes back child support to his exwife. He had been unemployed.We filed tax jointly for 2019. Will we be able to get the Covid19 Relief money? we have 3 small children together
Robert Johnson
March 29, 2020
I am currently still employed as a commissioned recovery driver for a towing company and considered essential as a emergency response vehicle, I owe back support, and with everyone observing the quaranten there is no customers to make a check with, now I'm told I will not get a stimulus/relief check at all, I was woundering if this is true? If so this seems discriminatory. Any help concerning this matter would be greatly appreciated. Please advise me on the Treasurys course of action if possible thank you for your time
mjava
March 29, 2020
i was talking with my 77 yr old mom yesterday..I dont know how true it is..if at all..but..she told me that she had a text on her lifeline phone that said something about watching her acct for next SS deposit ..that stimulus check should be arriving shortly...in any event ..i told her NO personal info over the phone and do not click any links in email or otherwise..that gov already has her details...its amazing how many unscrupulous predators are waiting to take advantage of unsuspecting people..especially the elderly..
MarK2020t use …
March 29, 2020
My ex husband and I take turns claiming our son; we both filed 2019 taxes and this was his year to claim him but I am custodial parent. This means he will get the check for the $500 and I won’t ? In this case the parents that actually have residential custody should have it as they will be hit the hardest through this.
gail
March 29, 2020
I claim my 85 year old mother as a dependent as she lives with me and makes less than 12,000 a year between SS and a small pension. I see that she will receive nothing. she worked all her life. She cannot afford to live on her own, I am her caretaker. why is she left out of this?
Floridasunshine
March 29, 2020
My ex owes me back child support and my case is filed with child support services. I know he will not be eligible for a stimulus check - will I get his check for back support owed?
mebell01
April 18, 2020

In reply to by Floridasunshine

Did you receive his check? I don’t think my ex has filed taxes since we divorced. I am trying to find out if I can get his money if he did not file his taxes.
slg636
March 29, 2020
Will the spouse and subsequent children of those owing child support still be eligible to receive the stimulus? Or will the whole household be exempt?
Carson05
March 29, 2020
My husband owes back child support but has been making payments every payday and we also have custody of that child,he got laidoff and im down to 2 hrs a day, 3 days a wk,are we qualified for the stimulous
Remarried no relief
March 29, 2020
Me and the wife filed for 2019 as married and have a family to support. But I owe in back child support. What kinda relief do we get?. These Bill's won't pay themselves. This has us worried sick.
Return to top