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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.

Don'oranget us…
March 20, 2020

In reply to by Don't use your…

Do widowed who receive survivors benefits get a stimulus check?orange
Don'elbaramire…
March 22, 2020

In reply to by Don'oranget us…

Will I get a check? Widow on annuity pension. Thx
Sweetpea522
March 30, 2020

In reply to by Don'oranget us…

Gosh I sure hope so! I am also a widow and have two children and we get survivor benefits as well. Will we automatically get it deposited to our bank account they deposit to monthly?and How much is our stimulus payment going to be?
SusanHall.45
March 21, 2020

In reply to by Don't use your…

Are people getting social security getting a relief check
Bellaj918
April 10, 2020

In reply to by SusanHall.45

I have trying to find out that same exact answer! Im also a widow with 2 children who receives a check as well.
chatfield
March 21, 2020

In reply to by Don't use your…

im on ss disabilty will i get a stimulas check
Kenny g
March 19, 2020

In reply to by DCHART

Any updates on this payment will disabled vets and people on social security and social security disability and SSI be included in the stimulus checks this is basically costing us more during this time of isolation senior centers closed pantries are closed making it harder to keep food on the table with limited income and not able to go to drive thrus to supplement a meal if needed the copays on Medicare increased this year along with the cost which already limited our little bit of funds for medical supplies and medications please advise if our group that hasn’t been required to file taxes due to the fact that the many numerous years we worked were already taxed prior to us having to abruptly end our careers and already try to live and raise a family on a third of the income we made while working but if anyone can give us a direct answer if we are also included in this to receive some sort of relief with these stimulus checks please advise
Mia VonParks
March 19, 2020

In reply to by DCHART

From what I understand yes. Even those on social security will get it sent how you normally get paid
FTC Staff
March 20, 2020

In reply to by peggypombo458

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

Tae Bass
March 20, 2020

In reply to by FTC Staff

I receive disability SSI Will I get the $1000 settlement ALSO?
Judy
March 22, 2020

In reply to by FTC Staff

I pay taxes on my home every year. I'm always on time. Everyone should be eligible for money we are all going through this tuff times. We all need money
3047416188
March 22, 2020

In reply to by FTC Staff

I pay taxes on my home every year. I'm always on time. Everyone should be eligible for money we are all going through this tuff times. We all need money
WantstoKnow
March 22, 2020

In reply to by FTC Staff

Why is there no confirmed details. Is there going to be any stimulus money or not. They have details all over the web site. Surely something will be coming to all. Right?
Richard Gillogly
March 22, 2020

In reply to by peggypombo458

Do people on SSI or ssa get the checks that the president is talking about too?
They answered
March 28, 2020

In reply to by peggypombo458

Clearly The answer was they are not sure at the moment And This money may cut future ss. benifits by 25percent I'm below poverty, but the check is going to effect our children
Sherry
March 19, 2020

In reply to by DCHART

Will people on social security will receive a check from the government when all are sent
SHIRLEY BRENNAN
March 20, 2020

In reply to by Sherry

IM RETIRED AND RECEIVE SSI. WILL I GET A CHECK. STRUGGLING TO GET EXTRA FOOD AND SUPPLIES. HAVE TO USE CC. SCARED.
FTC Staff
March 20, 2020

In reply to by SHIRLEY BRENNAN

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

Just saying
March 21, 2020

In reply to by FTC Staff

I think they should do it by census 2020 that way they will get a more accurate count for every household.
Bugin2u
March 22, 2020

In reply to by FTC Staff

We understand that nothing has been approved yet. What people are wanting to know is, if the stimulus is approved will people on SSI, SSDI or Disabled Veteran receive the stimulus money as well? Very simple question. Very simple to answer. Yes they will or no they want? Thanks
Fellow man
March 20, 2020

In reply to by SHIRLEY BRENNAN

It’s going to be ok. Don’t be scared. Have faith that everything will be ok. “Pride is a fool’s burden“ If times get tough do not be afraid to ask people for help, there’s a lot of people like myself who would be blessed to be able to help. Don’t be afraid. Reach out to your fellow man/woman. I don’t know how to leave my info With you, without it being visible to the world or else I would
Anonymous
March 21, 2020

In reply to by SHIRLEY BRENNAN

AS FAR AS THE STIMULUS IS CONCERNED, I'VE BEEN PAYING CLOSE ATTENTION TO EVERYTHING NOT JUST THE EXTRA MONEY. ALTHOUGH, MY QUESTION IS ABOUT THE SAME AS OTHER HAVE POSTED. HOWEVER, IN A NEWS BRIEFING, PRESIDENT TRUMP DID SAY EVERY ADULT WOULD RECEIVE $1,000 AND $500 FOR EACH CHILD. ALSO, IT HAD A BREAKDOWN OF INCOME GUIDELINES AND IF YOU WERE BELOW $77,000 SOMETHING TO THAT EFFECT YOU WERE ENTITLED TO A STIMULUS CHECK. ALSO, IN A NEWS BRIEFING IT WAS SAID THAT TODAY THAT THAT AMOUNT COULD GO UP. HERE'S WHAT MOST OF US ARE WANTING TO KNOW, ARE WE GETTING ONE??? FROM EVERYTHING I READ ONLINE AND NEWSPAPER, INCLUDING THE NEWS BRIEFING, WE ARE ENTITLED. I'M ALSO UNDERSTANDING THAT THE WORKING CLASS PEOPLE/FAMILIES ARE A PRIORITY AS WE ALL ARE. BUT SOMEONE US DON'T RECEIVE MUCH TO BEGIN WITH AND I'M ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE, BY THE TIME I PAY RENT, PHONE AND BUS PASSES FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION (UTILITIES ARE INCLUDED IN MY RENT), ONLY RECEIVE A SMALL AMOUNT OF FOOD STAMPS, AFTER BUYING GROCERIES, I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING LEFT AND DON'T HAVE ENOUGH TO GET BY ON AS IT IS AND I'M NOT A SPENDER, BUT HOW COULD I BE GIVEN THE LOW AMOUNT A GET MONTHLY. I'M 100% DISABLED AND NO ONE TO HELP ME AT ALL AND UNABLE TO WORK PART TIME TO MAKE ALITTLE EXTRA MONEY. THAT SAID, NOT JUST BECAUSE I'M VERY LOW INCOME BUT THERE ARE MANY IN THE SAME SITUATION. WE SHOULD BE ENTITLED TO THE STIMULUS AND IF THIS CONTINUES TO GO ON AS THEY'RE ANTICIPATING I DON'T KNOW WHAT I'M GOING TO DO BECAUSE I STILL HAVE SOME OUT OF POCKET EXPENSE FOR MY MEDICINE EVEN THOUGH IT ISN'T ALOT BUT $30 IS ALOT WHEN YOU HAVE NO OTHER MEANS. SO I'M HOPEFUL WE DO RECEIVE THE $1,000 STIMULUS. WHY SHOULD BE EXCLUDED WHEN THE PRESIDENT HAS DECLARED A NATIONAL DISASTER AND THE NUMBERS OF POSITIVE ARE QUADRUPLING EVERYDAY? THAT'S ALL I KNOW IS WHAT I'VE READ IN THE PAPER AND WATCHING THE NEWS BRIEFINGS.
Don't use your…
March 20, 2020

In reply to by Sherry

Is there paperwork to fill out or a link to apply for the checks? Also will the people on social security also get a check & would it come with the monthly check? Thank you for your responses
FTC Staff
March 20, 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.

Larry
April 07, 2020

In reply to by FTC Staff

I get SSI and I was wondering i I g do people on SSI disability they give you the coronavirus
Rita
March 20, 2020

In reply to by Sherry

Will seniors over 75 on Social Security only receive a stimulus check?
me
March 20, 2020

In reply to by Rita

If they stimulus payment is like the one Obama gave in 2008, you had to earn at least $3,000 and pay income tax. Hope that helps.
Rita
March 20, 2020

In reply to by Sherry

Will seniors over 75 on Social Security only receive a stimulus check?
ben zavalaDon'…
March 20, 2020

In reply to by Sherry

will low income senior citizens on medicare get 1.000 dollars from the stumulus package
FTC Staff
March 20, 2020

In reply to by ben zavalaDon'…

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

stimulus44
March 20, 2020

In reply to by FTC Staff

What if you didn’t file taxes last year? Are you still able to get a check?
Sheryl
March 21, 2020

In reply to by FTC Staff

Thank you for being patient with all of us asking pretty much the same questions. This is a trying time for all of us! God Bless
Grannyt
March 23, 2020

In reply to by FTC Staff

Will people on disability and social security get stimulus check.
KimReed
March 20, 2020

In reply to by Sherry

Will people on SSI/DISABILITY ALSO RECEIVE A STIMULAS CHECK
Sharon
March 21, 2020

In reply to by KimReed

WHERE DO YOU THINK PEOPLE ON SSI SPEND THEIR MONEY, AND YES WE PAY taxes on certain items.WE SHOULD BE ABLED TO RECEIVE A CHECK....
Rodwms
March 20, 2020

In reply to by Sherry

I would like to know if recipients of Social security will receive a Coronavirus stimulas checks?
helen
March 20, 2020

In reply to by Sherry

Will people on disability get check also?
MrHawaii
March 21, 2020

In reply to by Sherry

From what I read, SS retirement recipients are included with a qualifying income of at least 25,000 per year...
Romeo
March 22, 2020

In reply to by Sherry

Will social security folks get a check
Pokhnk
March 22, 2020

In reply to by Sherry

It would be very nice for the government to do that the people could use the money
Disabled_Veteran
March 19, 2020

In reply to by DCHART

Exactly! I think a lot of us are asking this same questions right now. It would be nice if our government would give us an answer to this question.
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