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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.

Litta
April 09, 2020
Hope everyone stays well
Pamela mitchell
April 09, 2020
I live in a rest home.....can the rest home take our stimlus checksu888
Rosie
April 09, 2020
I am separated from the father of my child in February and now have court appointed primary custody of our child. Since he has claimed our child in the preceding years I am assuming that they will send him the $500.00 stimulus check. However, being that he is not the primary caregiver he is not actually supposed to get the stimulus check, rather I am. What can I do?
Phyllis
April 09, 2020
It would be nice if someone could address the issue about our direct express card I dont have a checking account my benefits go on my direct express card why is this so hard for people to give us information
Angel84
April 09, 2020
I have 3/4 custody of my son and was wondering about 500$ checks for kids..will it be split up or how does that work??
willow
April 09, 2020
I’m suppose to be receiving my alimony payments weekly and my ex has been laid off and is not paying me. Will I still get the full 1200?
waiting for answer
April 09, 2020
Is the stimulus going to go on the American Express serve pre paid cards that we used to get our taxes on??? Please answer!!!!
Teshgirl
April 09, 2020
My son is get ssi will he receive a stimulus check?
Cwd
April 09, 2020
I found out recently my stepmother claims me as a dependent for years on her taxes, and I am on disability social security and living on my own for many years do I still qualify for a stimulus check
Tmonnie56
April 09, 2020
I'm sick with C.H.F. diabetes, asthma and high blood pressure. I'm unable to work, waiting on my Court day in May 2020. All I get is food stamps.Someone else is taking care of me for now. Will I get a stimulus check?
borregomaria2
April 10, 2020
If I just opened a case will I get a check
Amy Davis
April 09, 2020
Thank u for ur help
Phyllis
April 09, 2020
How come no information is given about our direct express card will the stimulas check go on it
burnsides1211
April 09, 2020
Will my stimulus check go onto my NetSpend Liberty Tax card
Don't use your…
April 09, 2020
Is people on EBT getting it
Christina
April 09, 2020
My tax refund got put on a net spend card provided by liberty tax, would that be considered direct deposit for the stimulus check?
Jess85
April 09, 2020
Will my stimulus money go on my direct express debit card?
rachelyoung1
April 10, 2020
If I have a payee how will I get my stimulus check on my direct Express debit card
FatimadeEstuardo
April 10, 2020
I receive ssi and ssdi and have minor children will they get stimulus check also ?
Johnny mayfield
April 10, 2020
Will my cash deposit be added to my food stamp card
Ashley123
April 10, 2020
Well my relief check go on my American express card. That I used this year for my taxes
Idalmamachado
April 10, 2020
Homeless families need emergency food stamps to survive we live on daily basis our refrigerators are small we spend money daily and now due to this corona virus and our children home food goes quicker than usual please help we didn’t ask to be homeless
Susie qDon't u…
April 10, 2020
When will ssi recipients receive a there stimulus check
Charlotte Fox
April 10, 2020
I didnt have a address but i moved in to my parents and social services & social security have my parents address will the goverment know that to mail my stimulas check there
1961
April 10, 2020
When will we know if stemless checks will be deposited to Direct Express prepaid government debit card
TG
April 10, 2020
Would be nice to get a date when we can expect the check to arrive. I certainly won’t hold my breath.
Mary Moore
April 10, 2020
I have a netspend liberty tax debit card will my stimulus check be direxy deposit to it causes I really need it ASAP I have bills that I can get caught up Please & Thank You
FTC Staff
April 10, 2020

In reply to by Mary Moore

Please go to irs.gov/coronavirus for updates, information about who is eligible for a payment, and information about how the payments are coming to people. 

Custodial parent
April 10, 2020
My ex wife owes back child support. Will her stimulus check be intercepted and the money sent to me? I believe she remarried last year. If they are eligible for the $2400 will all of it be intercepted or just her half?
Wowreally
April 11, 2020

In reply to by Custodial parent

Hopefully you only receive only her half, he has no financial responsibility to the child between the two of you. And also I'm sure you will recieve a stimulas check as well for you and your child, why should you get theirs too?
Nayls57
April 10, 2020
I have a Direct Express debit card will the government put my stimulus check on that card I would really like to know I'm broke I need that money like yesterday
cd20160820
April 10, 2020
Hello, child support and stimulus check question. My husband only owes arrears, our taxes weren’t intercepted for 2019, will we both get a stimulus check? If he doesn’t will I? No one is answering the child support questions!!
LEECONCERNED
April 10, 2020
IF I CURRENTLY HAVE A PAYMENT PLAN WITH IRS AND PAY IT ON TIME WILL I STILL RECEIVE STIMULUS CHECK
justice6335
April 10, 2020
I am waiting on Disability I had my interview April 7. I am wanting to know if i get a Stimulus check. I also am legally married but separated to a tax payer. Do I get a check and if so will it be jointly with my husband?
faith1171
April 10, 2020
Do i still get the stimulus check if i’m 18 and was claimed on taxes from my parents but moved out and now live on my own
Shirley M
April 10, 2020
Will people that have prepaid debit cards like Netspend and filed taxes and had it direct deposit on that account will they use that same to direct deposit?
Celestej78
April 10, 2020
Can the stimulus check be deposited into a netspend account. I filled my taxes and used it but my refund was taken does the irs still have my direct deposit information
William colon
April 10, 2020
Are people who are paying and ow child support going to receive supplement check
Spayton
April 10, 2020
I'm disabled ii get my said on a direct express card will the stimulas check be deposited on that card
Racheal johnson
April 10, 2020
Will the stimulus checks be direct deposited on t american express cards
kevin
April 10, 2020
I’m on disability for the past 25 years will I recurved a 600 check
sashasears09
April 10, 2020
If I had my taxes Direct deposited to the child support card will it get deposited on each child support card
DeeDee
April 10, 2020
I am on disability after 2 strokes. I am in a nursing home. Do I qualify? I only get to keep $60.00 of my SS check each month. The nursing home gets ALL the rest. Thank you. I still have to buy my own clo
lrenee19
April 10, 2020
My sis comes to my direct express card will I receive my stimulus on my direct express card
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