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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.

Willie young
April 10, 2020

In reply to by Mindi Millward

Will my stimuls money go to my direct Express card I don't have direct deposit
DonAnnie Hardi…
April 03, 2020

In reply to by Andy Douglas

Will I get a stimulus check on my direct express card
Cheary
April 08, 2020

In reply to by DonAnnie Hardi…

I was wondering if I get SSI will I get my stimulus check on my direct Express card.
Phyllis
April 11, 2020

In reply to by DonAnnie Hardi…

Will I get my stimulas check on my direct express card I don't have direct deposit information
Christine
April 09, 2020

In reply to by Andy Douglas

Will I get my stimulass on my direct express card
Don't use ydo …
April 16, 2020

In reply to by Andy Douglas

I hear we are but I don't think any will see it
Rachel
April 03, 2020

In reply to by Pamela Anderson

I wanted to know the same thing but no one has answered our question.
Gayle
April 05, 2020

In reply to by Pamela Anderson

Ok will stimulus payments go Direct Express cards ?
Buttercup 1981
April 13, 2020

In reply to by Gayle

I heard our stimulate check will go on the direct express card
Don't use ITSA…
May 23, 2020

In reply to by Buttercup 1981

I HAVE NOT RECIEVED A STIMULAE CHECK YET ,I AM ON SS HAVE A BANK ACCT , A SENIOR WIDOW DONT FILE TAXES WHERE IS MY CHECK ?
woofey
June 08, 2020

In reply to by MaryFRogers

I have not received my COVIS check. How can I check on it? Thanks you
Phyllis
April 06, 2020

In reply to by Pamela Anderson

Will I receive the stimulas check on my direct express card
TammieC
April 26, 2020

In reply to by Tina fantauzzo

Will I receive my stimulus check on my Direct Express Card no one can give me any answers they say it's going to be deposited on the 29th but the number that give me does not match my card number
Tina rios
May 07, 2020

In reply to by Phyllis

Oh my settlement check that the government giving the school directly on my Direct Express Card
Lee
April 08, 2020

In reply to by Pamela Anderson

I also have a direct express card and have same question will my stimulus check go to my card
Debbie simmons
April 22, 2020

In reply to by Lee

I was wondering will I soon get my check I.have a direct express card
I have the que…
April 23, 2020

In reply to by Lee

I have direct express cart I like to my check get deposit stimilus
Cherrybabs
June 10, 2020

In reply to by Lee

Today's the 29th there is no money coming on on Direct check cards yet they said by May 1st nobody knows the exact date sorry it's all the information that I seen
Barbarameyer
May 01, 2020

In reply to by Lee

Do I get my stemules check when I get my social sercurity check Uth
Paul b
June 03, 2020

In reply to by Gator

I'm on ssdi I have my ssa 1099 from 2019 I have a active banking account and no kids to claim.but yet I've still not recieved a stimulus payment in my banking account?? If ur on ssi ssdi veterans it says on the irs.gov amp if ur on ssi ssdi veterans ur checks get derect deposited automatically..ok then it says if ur on ssi ssdi veterans u do not need to use this amp ??? And the irs phone numbers is bogus I've been hung up on 15 out of 17 calls ask about my stimulus payment and they send me to someone else and then ur told oh we cant give out that information really .how are u suppose to find out anything when you cant get straight up answers???. Paul b
Don't uelaines…
April 09, 2020

In reply to by Pamela Anderson

I wish someone would please tell us if they will put our stim ulis check on our direct express card!!!!!!!
Donnie B
April 14, 2020

In reply to by Don't uelaines…

Yes, They will deposit to same route that is or was used for recieving social security deposits or for those who filed taxes in either 2018 or 2019 and had refunds electronically transferred to an account, they will send to that account if it is still an active or open account. if there is no direct deposit or no established direct deposit account for receiving government benefits or tax return refund they will mail it. My question is if it's been two years since you file a return is there a way of giving them an update account updated account where they can send the money electronically
Don't Bother y…
April 29, 2020

In reply to by Donnie B

I am on SSDI and my granddaughter draws a check will I still get my stimulus check
Judytaylor10
April 23, 2020

In reply to by Don't uelaines…

Yes they are going on your accounts the same way u get your ssi check u don't have to do anything
Arika pageau
April 09, 2020

In reply to by Pamela Anderson

Will I receive my stimulus check via my direct exspress card?
Roshanda B
April 15, 2020

In reply to by Arika pageau

Will the stimulus check be place into direct accts or be mailed by the post office.
Jackie blankenship
April 18, 2020

In reply to by Roshanda B

I have direct deposit thats WHERE I receive my BENEFITS is THAT WHERE my stimulus money go, I HAVE NEVER GOT a SSA1099 before SSA said I didnt NEED to file THAT I haven't filed taxes since 2014 WHENy husband died WILL I STILL GET my benefits I really need THEM ASAP THANK YOU AND God BLESS YOU
Mary
April 17, 2020

In reply to by debik61

When are the stimulus checks going out for retirees on social security
Deborah S. Bul…
April 22, 2020

In reply to by Mary

How will I know when my money is deposited into my bank account
Rgrangel
April 22, 2020

In reply to by Arika pageau

I would like to know the same will I recieve it on my direct Express card
Don't use your…
April 09, 2020

In reply to by Pamela Anderson

I just found the info on this direct ex. Card. It's a federal treasury card they are the office who's got into on you so the treasury dept recommends the direct ex card and then it's now all info of treasury is top of the card and they contracted to a place to do the job that the federally treasury has picked as the card you use and they recommend it unless u want direct dep.thru personal bank u choose. Yes from what I just looked and crossed red. They will put.on direct ex if that's the way u get check each month then that's how u will get it. I also read the answers on this iOS just them careful of info that can get scammers info and we wouldn't have a clue. So now you will get it on that card and info kept no answer from them because in so many words it's bad smart scammers that one word I bet give another clue to scam .
Sharon1
April 10, 2020

In reply to by Pamela Anderson

Will I get my stimulus package on my Direct Express card?
Jana Fornes
April 16, 2020

In reply to by Sharon1

Will my stimulus money be put on my Direct Express Card or put on my direct deposit bank account
Balgua1960
April 19, 2020

In reply to by Sharon1

Will I get my stimulus card on my direct express card.
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