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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.
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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.

littleman
April 13, 2020

In reply to by FTC Staff

why doesnt anyone from the ftc staff atleast tell everyone if they have a direct express card instead of a bank account if its gonna be put on direct express card instead of telling people to go to some web site. obviously people dont understand and want to know so they can take care of things if they have to.
FTC Staff
April 13, 2020

In reply to by littleman

The FTC can't answer your question about the direct express cards, because we don't have the information. The IRS is sending out the payments and sharing information who is eligible and how to get the payments. That's why we encourage you to go to the IRS website: irs.gov/coronavirus.

Amorales
April 13, 2020

In reply to by littleman

So are you saying if you do have a direct express the money will post on their.
TomboyGamerGal
April 10, 2020
So do people who direct express for being disabled will get this or not? I get the SSI disability for my bipolar depression. I don't have a job at all.
Christine
April 10, 2020
I DO Not UNDERSTAND WHY THIS QUESTION HAS NOT BEEN ANSWERED YET?? Clearly I'm not the only one wondering if this is how we will receive our stimulus package.. I would think the answer would be a simple yes but all they keep saying is you'll get a check in the mail or give us direct deposit information (routing # acct. #) I wish they would also say if we receive our benefits through Direct Express that's how we'll receive the stimulus..
grandma Becca
April 10, 2020
I get my SSI on a direct express card- no bank account. Will my stimulas money also come on my card?
AngimariTN
April 16, 2020

In reply to by grandma Becca

Yes I you receive said. SSDI. Retirement, or railroad compensation you will receive the stimulus the same way you get your monthly payment. Either on direct express card, bank account or check. Also everyone qualifies for it regardless of working or disabled
copleysteph
April 16, 2020
If you get ssi on a direct express card will stimulus come on that card
FTC Staff
April 16, 2020

In reply to by copleysteph

The Social Security Administration website says people who get Social Security retirement, survivors, or disability beneficiaries and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients, and who do not have qualifying children under age 17 do not need to take any action with the IRS. You will automatically receive your $1,200 economic impact payment directly from the IRS. You should receive the automatic payments by direct deposit, Direct Express debit card, or by paper check, just as you would normally receive your Social Security benefits.

Don't use your e-m
April 10, 2020
Will people get a check if on ssi are anything
Gwendolyn henry
April 10, 2020
Hi am 48 On disabilityWill I receive a check to my direct express card from the governmen Thank you
MW
April 10, 2020
If I receive SSI would I qualify for the $1000 check? If so will it go to my savings account or direct express card?
JKL
April 10, 2020
what about people who are victims of identity theft ? can scammers try to register for your check via the portal they have established? I have already filed 2019 taxes, will they allow a person to re-register on the website?
Danallcarter
April 10, 2020
If you owe back child support and you are on Social Security, can child support take your severance check?
Mickey
April 10, 2020
Will the people that recieve snap or medicaid or childsupport qualify automatically? I havent filed taxes since 2015, so im confused as to if i would be eligable as a us citizen for this
Danallcarter
April 10, 2020
I am on disability and I only owe arrears in child support, is child support going to take my severance check?
Tina lake
April 10, 2020
I'm on ssi can they put the stimulas payment on my direct exspress card
Just wondering
April 10, 2020
If u have a liberty tax card from filing ur taxes will the IRS consider this direct deposit for the stimulus check??? Just wondering if I have to do something else to get a direct deposit?? Thank u
DH
April 10, 2020
I have been looking for answer to this question all day. I used the TurboTax stimulus registry. I'm disabled and get too little to file taxes. Since I used this, and it is done as a 1040, should I use the IRS "Simple Tax Form", now that it's been released?
DH
April 10, 2020
I have been looking for answer to this question all day. I used the TurboTax stimulus registry. I'm disabled and get too little to file taxes. Since I used this, and it is done as a 1040, should I use the IRS "Simple Tax Form", now that it's been released?
Please answer
April 10, 2020
If i get a&d though the government and i am waiting on my social security will i get the stimulus payment?
Eldkristina2
April 11, 2020
Need help
P1iefv32
April 11, 2020
Will get my money
JDay
April 11, 2020
I'm on SSI and ssdi,I can't work. I agree with y'all too
Terrix2000
April 11, 2020
I have not seen or spoke to my soon to be ex-husband in over two years. I have no information regarding where he lives etc. He receives SSI and will receive a stimulus payment, and I will received nothing. I've made no income for two years and have lived with my parents since he left. Our divorce papers are complicated so it is taking longer than expected. No children. I am an abandonded spouse. Where's my relief?
sherry
April 11, 2020
A friend is on SSI, & his wife doesn’t work because she has to basically take care of him, what I’m wondering is people on SSI will get the stimulus check, but what about there spouse??? What do they have to do to get there’s or will she get with his??? Thanks for your help
Rhonda mcglothlin
April 11, 2020
Will be taxed that the government is sending out to us if we do not have a bank account would they and we're on on disability would it go on our Direct Express Card
jgibson
April 11, 2020
If I file my taxes with liberty tax service, and receive a netspend per pay card, will I get my stimulus check on that card.
Patty
April 11, 2020
If I received my income tax on a NetSpend card through Liberty Tax Service, will my stimulus money automatically go on that card.
Summer
April 11, 2020
I have a flexible spending account (pays for medical expenses) I have through my job for my children and grandmother that suffer a stroke. I was told at the end of the year I have to claim my grandmother on my taxes due to the flexible spending account. She dont live with me I only help out. She's on social security will this prevent her from getting her covid 19 impact relief check in April?
M
April 11, 2020
I'm on social security, do not file tax return, will I get a stimulus check?
VLDunbar3
April 11, 2020
Will SSA and SSI recipient's receive stimulus payment on their Direct Express card ,since its from the U.S treasury for SSA and SSI and Retirement uses this debit card also
Robert2437
April 11, 2020
I was in prison for the last 2 years got out December 16th 2019 started working December 27th of 2019 didn't file taxes do I qualify for a stimulus check if so how do I do it
Susanzeman49
April 11, 2020
We were wondering if people who Owe Back taxes but are on a payment plan with the government will be eligible for a stimulus check or if that stimulus check will just go to pay our back taxes
Wowreally
April 11, 2020
My boyfriend n I filed taxes togather, I was told that stimulas payments would be taken for child support. They already took his taxes after he had a stroke and was unable to work, and now they are taking stimulas too? Part of that belongs to me, and they had better not touch that!!
Me
April 11, 2020
If I'm on security right now will I still receive a stimulus check
Don't ucmathis…
April 11, 2020
Do those that receive ssi on a direct express card receive there stimulus check on the direct express card? Have not seen a clear response.
Distressed
April 11, 2020
There are about 4 million of us who get their ssdi and ssi money each month from Direct Express cards issued to us from the Treasury, because we don't have bank accounts. Will we receive the Stimulus checks on our Direct Express cards ???
Betsyt
April 11, 2020
So my kids father decided to put me on child support wen he applied for food stamps, my child stayed with him a yr before she turned 18, they pushed the legal age to 19 so now I owe him arrears on child support, now the help that I need is going to him when I supported my child the hole time, so now I’m left with no help at all from the relief funds
HHHUGZ
April 11, 2020
If I was claimed last year as a dependent, as a person on Social Security disability, will I receive a stimulus check?
Jb8450on't use…
April 11, 2020
Will my money go on my Direct Express card that I receive my social security benefit on)
Dp
April 11, 2020
Will I get a check if I owe back child support
Donnieregester
April 21, 2020
What is the check post to be mailed that every buddy post to get
Disabled
April 11, 2020
So if you have a health condition and are out of work but have not been approved for disability and someone helps pay for your care you do not get a stimulus check. The person saved 500 claiming you on your taxes. Why not give them the other 700. The people that are kind enough to help someone out should be rewarded for being there for someone that otherwise would be a burden on the system.
Eaglesfan
April 12, 2020
I get snap will i get a check
jesslynn
April 12, 2020
I separated from my husband in 2019 after we filed our 2018 tax return. We filed jointly but I had no income due to being a stay at home mom. The bank account we used for direct deposit has been closed and neither one of us stay at the address on the return. We have two children and I have custody. I receive SSI for my daughter because she was born premature but no taxable income. What do I need to do to get my stimulus check?
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