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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.

Cathymae
April 01, 2020
I'm on ssi will I get the stimulus package
Jean Williams
April 01, 2020
When will we get or check in what month
William. Hall …
April 01, 2020
I see many questions but no answer will people on SSI receive a government check
Don't use your…
April 01, 2020
So ssi will get a check from the virus?? 1.000 check ?? I need to know
tademaria45
April 01, 2020
I'm on SSI and desperate for some financial relief...as most of us on disability are. I see a lot of questions on this blog...are we going to get any answers from anyone????
Jefferyjbernau…
April 01, 2020
I just got Social Security Disability will I receive a check from the bailout?
hellinamckinne…
April 01, 2020
I get 783.00 from ssi will i get it and i have never work during those years will i still get the stimulation check.
Ramsey Family
April 01, 2020
We received custody of my husbands children first week of January 2020. How do we receive the stimulus package for them? We can not file taxes with them as our dependants until 2020.
Sdavisuse your…
April 01, 2020
I’m hearing a lot of confusion regarding seniors or people who recite Social Security and or those with income so low they’re not required to file taxes. Specifically, on one hand that their stimulus check will deposited according to how they currently receive their SS benefits. Then on the other hand they must have filed taxes for 2018 or file taxes for 2019. Thing is I have tried to file for both years, but told that i wasn’t required to because my income from SS is less than the required amount to file taxes. So, which is it? And why is their conflicting , unclear and inadequate information for this income group about the stimulus checks?
ConcernedCit
April 03, 2020

In reply to by Sdavisuse your…

people on social security and disability do NOT have to fill out any type of form. This was released yesterday the stimulus check will either be deposited however you get your monthly check or mailed in paper form
Ceora 38
April 01, 2020
Hello I have a 18 year old who lives with me. Do she quality for anything since 17 or less gets 500? Thank you in advance. Be safe and god bless
george p
April 01, 2020
it 's the American retired include in the 1200 dollar gov help I don't ear mention to not bady that is my Question
Natashia Callier
April 01, 2020
this is not a comment this is a question I want to know if you received Uniroyal relief would you be able to get a stimulant check
Billiejtharp
April 01, 2020
I’m on ss I don’t file taxes will I get a stem check. Billie tharp
Princess0974
April 01, 2020
How does the stimulus check work if the ex does not have custody or see his kids but claims them on his taxes?
Brus
April 01, 2020
my grandson turned 18 on March 21st. He worked part time last year as a 17 year old. Does he get a stimulus check if he isn't claimed on his dad's tax return?
Oboe82
April 01, 2020
Husband owes back child support. Although, we're separated, living separate, but still married. We have 3 sons together, but they live with me most of the time. Since we're separated & living in different household, I receive SSI & child support... My husband has not filed taxes for 2018-2019. Will I still receive the $1,200 stimulus check and the child benefits?
Mbrown39
April 01, 2020
So im married and my husband abandoned the marriage but filed taxes.the children are not his an he didnt adopt but filed us on taxes..am i out of luck because he already filed.im on disability as well
Adriena. l. samuels
April 02, 2020
Do I have too file text too get this money
betabonn42
April 02, 2020
I am concerned about the check for children whose parent is delinquent on child support. My grandchildren's father was told he could claim the children for one year even though he is not the custodial parent . The bill states that he will not receive the checks. What will happen to those checks? Will family services take them as they do income tax and give them to the custodial parent for the children?
Don'pamclark31…
April 08, 2020

In reply to by betabonn42

Will I get my back child support money from my ex husband stimulus check
Ljmj2018
April 02, 2020
Will they issue the stimulus checks on our Direct Express cards since we receive Social Security income?
Bobby
April 02, 2020
IS PEOPLE WITH NO INCOME OR ON SSI GOING TO GET A CHECK TO HELP THEM OUT
Don't use yodr…
April 02, 2020
I did my taxes through liberty taxes which directed my return through their bank onto my card will the stimulus check be routed onto that netspend card? There is no info on their website concerning this. Thank you for your time
Carrie
April 02, 2020
I'm on SSI and I was wondering if the stimulas money will go automatically on my direct express debit card?? An if so what do I need to do to get overdraft on my card to?
Sam samir
April 02, 2020
Does back child support come out the unemployment stimulus check?
Tabetha
April 02, 2020
Do people get a check if there on ssi
Shires
April 02, 2020
I'm on SSI will i be able to receive the stimulas check
Tammyt
April 02, 2020
I have a cash job making just enough to survive never filled income tax return I have no bank account how do I apply for the stimulant check
Tammythib
April 02, 2020
My son was in jail hasn't worked over a year how does he apply
Mel
April 02, 2020
Is it true they will have a website for us to enter our bank information to receive the check or is that a scam too ?
FTC Staff
April 02, 2020

In reply to by Mel

Please keep checking the information on the IRS page about economic impact payments. The Treasury says that in the coming weeks it plans to develop a web-based portal for people to give their banking information to the IRS online, so you can get payments immediately. 

Don't use your…
April 10, 2020

In reply to by Mel

You will get it the same way you get your ssior ssdi don't fall for scamers your good do nothing but wait. In a week you will have it
jasonvanem
April 02, 2020
Does anyone know yet if the money will be on our Direct Express card?? I have been reading EVERYTHING about this but have failed to see that clarification ANYWHERE
Natashab8
April 02, 2020
So even though I D was claimed as a dependent even though I'm independent I am now on my own since is Coronavirus started am I entitled to the stimulus check I am disabled and on SSI with 2 kids inder 16
Terri Don't us…
April 02, 2020
So if I was on unemployment 2018 and 2019 do I still get a stimulus check if so will it go on my unemployment card?
Sashafierce
April 02, 2020
This is great information people to know that things are going to get better.
April
April 02, 2020
Thank you for sharing this information.
Lee
April 02, 2020
I am no longer with my wife. She left me but we are not divorced yet. She took my tax returns last year without my permission, I don't want her to get this check too. How do I stop her from getting my half of the money?
Christina
April 02, 2020
Hello my son is 19 years old just started working 4 months ago will he be eligible for a check ?
Shuiel
April 02, 2020
My husband is in arrears for child support(grown children) we have kids of our own that are minors will I get my stimulus and my kids?
Shefurr
April 02, 2020
I have applied for disability and have not been approved yet will I receive a check?
Shefurr
April 02, 2020
Have signed up for ssi haven't been approved yet. Will I get a check?
Aj ryan
April 02, 2020
Will people on social security disability that have a DIRECT EXPRESS card get their money deposited on this card ???
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