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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.
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  • 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.

Heavenlyblessed
April 07, 2020
I'm on social security I get my benefits on direct express card will the stimulus check be placed on the same card and when can we look for deposit
j.melot06
April 15, 2020

In reply to by Heavenlyblessed

I also am on SSI, and have the direct Express card. Everyone is getting the stemulus checks. When am I getting mine??
broke2020
April 07, 2020
I am a stay at home Mom. Do we get a stimulus check?
Dan
April 07, 2020
it is not relief if you die before you get it.
Kelner
April 07, 2020
Do people who get just Food Stamps get a check?
Fran46
April 08, 2020
Will someone please respond to the question of whether the stimulus money will be deposited to a Direct Express card? This question has been posted many times. Thank you!
Pepperminton't…
April 08, 2020
I have residental custody of my two grands. Judge put in a court order they were to be claimed by me. Mother filed claiming them & has not amended her filing. Her children will not see the money due to them..What should I do?
Ladycw38
April 08, 2020
Will I get a stimulus check for my two kids and grandbaby they live with me but somebody else carried them on their taxes
shermanrenee7
April 10, 2020
My husband and I did our taxes last year with liberty taxes in Kingsport TN.. We no longer have the debit card and we moved to Greenville SC so how do we get the stimulus check??? Please help
Avaprincess2mommie
April 08, 2020
Will I receive a payment as well if my daughter who is 6 gets social security disability every month and I'm her payee? I read a lot about social security recipients receiving a payment but I'm not sure if I'll be the one to receive it since I'm her mother and she's 6 does anyone know about this?
Jean1221
April 08, 2020
Check are supposed to start going out April 9th
Lashonda Zachary
April 08, 2020
If my daughter receives survivor benefits does she receive a stimulus check or no?
Leigh
April 08, 2020
My children get social security survivor benefits will they receive stimulus check?
Amanda
April 12, 2020

In reply to by Leigh

My kids receive survivors benefits as well and IAM wondering the same I also get the money deposited to the direct express card. I wish I could get some information on this too.
MRWOOD 49
April 08, 2020
Will my stimulus check come on my American Express serve card like my tax refund
CustodyQuestion
April 08, 2020
If you have 50/50 custody of a child- how does the stimulus check work?
RODNEY WILSON 358
April 08, 2020
I will like to no the same thing
Leon a
April 08, 2020
So will they deposit the covid19 stimulus to my direct express card?
Tfp7046
April 08, 2020
I'm on ssi and my 9 year old son is on ssi will he be considered as my dependent or no
Rhonda
April 22, 2020

In reply to by Tfp7046

I'm trying to find out the same thing. I read you have to fill out the nonfiler page for qualifying children but can't find out if they are automatic like the adults for stimulus or to still fill out that page.
Grandmother
April 08, 2020
I have a disabled daughter and her 5 daughters living with be. Mom has primary pysical custody of the 3 older children. She was forced by the courts to let the father claim them on his taxes this year. Which I believe was unfair to her and the children. That money should have went to the household where they live. And now I being told the stimulus money for the children will go to the father. This is so unfair. I've tried to find someone I can call to keep this from happening. But have had no luck. Someone please help me understand how the system can do this.
Neatashia Turner
April 08, 2020
People that receive Social Security Disability will they receive an impact
Don't use your…
April 08, 2020
What people on SSI receive this if they have like a bank account or things like that or other debit card or whatever
Rocky
April 08, 2020
I would like to know if I live in subsidized housing and our rent is income based do we have to report stimulus as income? They are putting up signs at the office telling us we have report it. This means they will raise our rent. No one has talked about this. Need to know
FTC Staff
April 21, 2020

In reply to by Rocky

Please check the IRS questions and answers at irs.gov/coronavirus/economic-impact-payment-information-center.

The IRS website says: "A Payment will not affect your income for purposes of determining eligibility for federal government assistance or benefit programs."

"The Payment is not income and you will not owe tax on your Payment. It will not reduce your refund or increase the amount you owe when you file your 2020 tax return next year."

 

Pamelaasher196…
April 08, 2020
I get PTD & DWRF DISABILITY THROUGH BWC WILL I GET A STIMULATOR CHECK?
Katinamorrow5
April 10, 2020
Dose ssi people get there money on the 9th
Derrick glencamp
April 08, 2020
Wellbthey put coronavirus check on the direct express card as i. Get my ssi check
Beth
April 08, 2020
Will my money be up loaded on my net spend card because that's how I received my refund check or will it be mail to me by a check
Trumpstheman1231
April 15, 2020

In reply to by Beth

Well have u found out the answer to this question bc I’m wondering the same thing
CDA 87
April 15, 2020

In reply to by Trumpstheman1231

Had anyone received an answer to this question? If filled with Liberty and received refund on NetSpend, is this how you'll receive the stimulus or a paper check?
Worker1986
April 08, 2020
Wife left for another man. Do I get to keep her half of the stimulus? She would not be eligible for one, if not for me. Why should I hand over cash to her and her boyfriend. Is is considered marital property since it deposits into my account she doesn't have access to?
sheenaj12
April 09, 2020
i filed joint with husband for 2019 not knowing he owes child support i heard they will take his 1200 but they will give me my 1200 and my 2 year old son his 500 is this true i hope so
Mmaldonado06
April 09, 2020
In 2018 I was self employed, in 2019 I couldn't work at all and was 100% disabled and could no longer run my business and I didn't need to file a tax return and I received my 1099 form... my question is are they going off my 2018 taxes or my ssdi?
Clinton Graves
April 09, 2020
I need some help please I’ve been in prison most of my life and have no one to help me I haven’t filed taxes in my life but it’s getting really hard for me to survive now I have been sick in the past and I have Seizures and I really just need to know it’s hard for me to make it right now
Jessica Jones
April 09, 2020
I get $783.00 every month that is the only income i have do to my disability. I have never worked and never filed taxes in my life I have been disabled since i was a little child. I'm 34 years old now do i have to file a tax return to get a coronavirus check. I have never filed a tax paper I wouldn't even no how to. And if not then will i get a coronavirus check. Please let me know something a simple yes or no would help
FatimadeEstuardo
April 10, 2020

In reply to by Jessica Jones

All ssi/ssdi will receive a check and don't have to file taxes be blessed
Bobie louise Ball
April 09, 2020
I get my federal money SSI payments on my Direct Express Card is that how the stimulus checks will be coming on. My Direct Express for me
Karen
April 09, 2020
Do I just wait I'm on SSI I dont need to sign up?
Davis2020
April 09, 2020
I got my tax refund on net spend card thru liberty tax will I get my stimulus on the card or check in the mail
Bevgate30
April 09, 2020
Are the stimulus relief payments going on the American Express Serve card? I eish jackson hewitt or the card services would let us know something!
DebbieDebDon't…
April 09, 2020
My husband receive disability and I work but don't really make enough money to file taxes well the government know through his disability that he's married said that I will also receive funds from the impact money?
beagle mom
April 09, 2020
Hello. I have a couple questions; I receive social security and my husband works; will we each get a check? Will people that get ssi checks, receive the stimulas checks for 2020? When should we receive the checks, if we get one? Thank you.
ml#
April 09, 2020
last filed tax in 2015, filed for SS still not approved, lawyer has case trying to get approval since 2016. No income, live with family, 100% disabled, can I get a stimulus check
frickandrea
April 09, 2020
I am 28 I file my own tax form but my grandmother claims me as a dependent. Am I eligible for the stimulus check?
sue
April 15, 2020

In reply to by frickandrea

i hear if you claimed on someone taxes no you dont get it
Don't use yomu…
April 19, 2020

In reply to by sue

If someone else claimed you on their taxes, you will not receive a stimulus package for yourself.
REDDOGG85
April 09, 2020
I filed using turbo tax and I used a netspend for my return would the stimulus money be in the same account as my federal refund was. Kerp up the good work and god bless
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