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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.

aliceschmucker
April 13, 2020

In reply to by Lub rianna

I'm on s s a I was just wanting to know if I will get a check
Robert Clark
March 24, 2020

In reply to by Zxcvbnm123$$#

I'm on SSI. Will I get a stimulus check also or because I'm on SSI I won't get anything. I will come check the check anyway and now when my SSI check comes in next day I'm broke. Well I get help if the bill passes?
Glen42
March 25, 2020

In reply to by Robert Clark

Will I get a check when the government if I'm not working right now
Jellybean
March 25, 2020

In reply to by Robert Clark

Are you going to help people on disability
Eldkristina2
April 11, 2020

In reply to by Jellybean

People who are on ssi will but if u were claimed done deal i guess this my thing is my mom yes is my payee and has to so dont get it worked for 2 yrs did taxes because of issue need help with a expert low income worked for those 2 and half yrs part time?.
Elnitajones02
April 21, 2020

In reply to by Jellybean

On long term disability with Dearborn not SSI will I get help I have two kids
Lizzy1994
April 13, 2020

In reply to by Robert Clark

Yes people that get SSI and SSDI and social security retirement etc but people that get SSI have to file a simple tax return for non filers to make sure u get that check... I am on SSI and did my mom filers and it got approved by the or
Chabear75
March 23, 2020

In reply to by Bigshow 12 …

I have read that the government will be using 2018 income tax return information. So if you don't file tax returns, you are not eligible as a "tax payer" and will not receive a check. That is of course subject to change.
Wscofield
March 27, 2020

In reply to by Chabear75

I'm on disability I dont file tax return. Will they deposit my stimulus check in my SSDI direct deposit account?
BUHS1965
April 24, 2020

In reply to by Wscofield

I am on OWCP and have been for years. I also receive a very small SSI check when I retired at 65 as a federal employee. Am I eligible for the stimulus act?
Elizabeth
March 29, 2020

In reply to by Chabear75

Thats not true if your disabled and you dont have enough to file taxes you still get money
Ricky
April 22, 2020

In reply to by Chabear75

I heard people on Direct Express Debit Card’s through S si an Ssdi Will get theirs on the 24th is that true
D!9e@4$2nDon't…
April 10, 2020

In reply to by Bigshow 12 …

I receive sis and ssa will I receive a stimulus payment
nelliemitchell…
March 23, 2020

In reply to by Bigshow 12 …

Will people on disability, and stamps, Medicaid, are we getting a stimulus check
Dave Johnson
March 25, 2020

In reply to by nelliemitchell…

I am diabled and getting about 900.00 dollars a month on social security disability that barly pays my bills since i worked until i couldnt anymore i believe i deserve a stmulus check as much as anyone if not more . Or will people like me feel the need to become criminals and start robbing people to get my fair share.people that have no money should be the first ones to get a stimulus check for once we still have to pay taxes on everything we buy.Dave j. Broke!!!!!
tanksleyliz
April 10, 2020

In reply to by Karen

I would like to know if people on widow's benefits or disability is getting a stimulants check and what do we have to do to get it
Alice Jean Craft
April 21, 2020

In reply to by tanksleyliz

Will I receive a stimulus check
Snakepit Jadarah
March 30, 2020

In reply to by nelliemitchell…

I have the same question ,is there a site we have to go to ?
belindasmith912
March 24, 2020

In reply to by Bigshow 12 …

Hello I'm very worry about not receiving some money. I have been out of work. For five year. Do to my many illness an in that time I have been waiting to get disability. I have by the Grace of God made it this for. I only get snap as my income. I need help but you all say the peoples that's working will get the help. I have one son and it is so much he can do because of the children. I believe if a man don't work he can't eat, Nevertheless I have work but I had to made a difficult choices me taking care of my health or die on the job trying to made ends meet. Please do not leave out peoples like me we needs help too..
Gdin't use you…
March 25, 2020

In reply to by Jbluesi

I've been through same, I've been on disability since 2007 and I had 2 boys 3 n 4 of age, I had food stamps and had to live in a garbage dump because that's where govt put people that are poor, I tried working so many times with no car and usually worked nights when buses stopped running and child care closed waiting on me to pi CV k my boys up, No help from there dad and i was always treated less than. By the grace of God both my boys graduated and 1 in college and other in construction. They try helping me but it's so hard taking $ from them. By the way when my boys were 16 & 17 child services just got back to me about child support, still never recieved a cent. Another thing is when I'd try working they cut my check food stamps and my rent would go up. My daddy raised 7 children and never had to ask for help fir anything and that's why I feel less than too. I'm 60 yrs of age and I guess it wouldnt matter if I got the stimulus one way or another because I've done w/o for so long. It just rips my heart out for what my children had to go through be ause I'm a single mother trying so hard to do right thing. People would tell me how I could do this or that to scam govt but I just couldnt do it as I say back watching the people that didnt work living off govt nice cars very nice clothes jewelry and all I wanted was to live comfortable with my boys. So with that only other thing I have to say is Time will come when I'll be comfortable and govt won't have anything to do with it. I just dont know how those people can sleep at night that work in offices and act like I'm taking something from them. To this day I'm still trying to go to work with lrs with plate & screws in neck, badly healed r tib nib badly heald let tib. 2 fractions in left femur and one fracture in r fem all due to domestic violence , then I end up with abuse from govt. It would be nice to have a little $ after I pay my Bill's. But I'm not even gonna hope for. I read almost all ur questions about are we going to get help I pray u all do because I'm sure a lot of u or worse off than I. Sorry for the book and the comment didnt mean "book" but my heart would not let me stop I wish u n allur family's the best. ,
Mariah C
April 16, 2020

In reply to by Rodgray12

I have paid taxes in the last few years, and it was deducted from my bank account, do I get a check.
Crazyirishtom
March 24, 2020

In reply to by Bigshow 12 …

I hope so my over the counter expenses are wiping me out- have everything need help to eatexcept fever. I need to eat.
god help us
March 24, 2020

In reply to by Bigshow 12 …

I am on disability with 8 family members staying in place with me. I borrowed 1,100 dollars to pay my property taxes but I am having to spend it on food, etc. I heard I will not qualify for the extra check because I don't work or don't file taxes because I don't make much
Diane wentz
March 25, 2020

In reply to by Bigshow 12 …

Will I on disability receive an stimulus check
Jh77jh
April 25, 2020

In reply to by Diane wentz

When will I receive my check ? Will it go in to my bank account? please help thank you
Johny blaze23
April 25, 2020

In reply to by Diane wentz

When will I receive my check ? Will it go in to my bank account? please help thank you
I care Gods go…
March 26, 2020

In reply to by Bigshow 12 …

Yes you will but make sure that you either filed taxes 2018 or 19 if not make sure it’s has your current address
Dj
March 26, 2020

In reply to by Bigshow 12 …

Would be nice to know if people on SSI will get a check too
Hogan702
March 26, 2020

In reply to by Bigshow 12 …

Yes. You will get a stimulus check. 100%. Do not listen to anyone telling you otherwise. You should receive your money on whatever direct deposit account you have set up with them already. Your money should be deposited between April 1st-May 1st.
Ginger
March 28, 2020

In reply to by Bigshow 12 …

I'm on SSI and only make $780 a month my husband lost his job because of this virus. We lost everything were living in our truck and have nothing.We don't know what to do. Anyone have any advice for us. No food or gas for truck no money. What's going to happen to us. We're in Hammond Louisiana and We Are Scared
sidekick8474@g…
March 20, 2020

In reply to by silversister

I am on SSI plus I work at backyard burger and I didn't file A tax return in 2019 will I receive a stimulus check
Debra A. Ford
March 20, 2020

In reply to by silversister

Will people who receive disability checks get a stimulus check?
Doement
March 26, 2020

In reply to by Debra A. Ford

Im on ssd will i get a stimulus check
sherry
April 11, 2020

In reply to by Debra A. Ford

My understanding is yes we will get the 1200$ with what I’ve read, the only ones that won’t get it are ones that are behind on child support
hope
April 18, 2020

In reply to by Debra A. Ford

i am not working and on ss will i get a check
aldridgespencer
March 26, 2020

In reply to by mamichulaDon't…

I am on ssi. I have several med problems. One of them is asma and copd. Will ssi recipients receive a stimulus check
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