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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.

Are the homele…
April 06, 2020
Are the homeless getting any of this money that everybody else is getting from the president because of this Coronavirus does anybody know how they would get it where they would get it mailed to
Will I lose out
April 06, 2020
My husband owes back child support will our daughters and I lose out on our stimulus check?
Skp
April 09, 2020

In reply to by Will I lose out

Did you file jointly ? I believe you will receive it just for you and the children
Kim
April 06, 2020
Will I get a check if I have not file my 2018 or 19 tax returns it yet
Don't use your…
April 06, 2020
I get veterans disability. no ssi. will I get a check
Scotty 81
April 06, 2020
Will my stimulus check come on my American Express Serve card just like my income tax did
Argunn
April 09, 2020

In reply to by Scotty 81

According to American Express and Jackson Hewitt both, stimulus funds will be deposited onto the Amex Serve card as long as the card is still active. Amex will send an email confirmation as soon as funds are deposited, just as they did with tax refund monies.
Bevgate30
April 09, 2020

In reply to by Scotty 81

I am waiting on the same answer! They are dragging their feet!
AChipuli8
April 09, 2020

In reply to by Scotty 81

I am wondering the same. I heard some people have recieved payments already but I am not sure what method/bank they were deposited to.
tunapichon67
April 09, 2020
I have 53 is disabled have Lupus and I want to pay my bills cuz of the Coronavirus
pebbles1359
April 07, 2020
will the retired seniors recieve money also if /when they distribute it
FTC Staff
April 07, 2020

In reply to by pebbles1359

The IRS says it will use the information from the SSA-1099 to make payments to people who get benefits that are shown on the SSA-1099. That includes older adults who get Social Security payments

Please go to the IRS page about economic impact payments for official updates and more information about who is eligible.

kay
April 06, 2020
will the retired seniors receive any compensation if and /or when it is distibuted due to the firus
brianwern12
April 06, 2020
how does one update information for new address and account information.
jkmc
April 06, 2020
I am on Ss disability but my husband still works will we get our check on my Ss disability direct deposit or his direct deposit
Jessica Jones
April 06, 2020
I get $783.00 on disability i us a Direct Express card savings account I'm in need of the coronavirus check I own a mobile home i pay bills and after my bill's I barely have any money left do to I have to us the last of my money to buy food toylit paper and shampoo all my needs and my meditations after that i have no more money I would like to no if I'm able to get a coronavirus check
Skp
April 09, 2020

In reply to by Jessica Jones

I read that if you are on disability and receive a SSA-1099 form every year you will receive a check. Hope this helps.
shantabach
April 06, 2020
When will we get the money
Queen
April 06, 2020
If we are married couple, can we get the separate check.
Maggie
April 07, 2020
I don't do taxes anymore because i live under the poor line. SSA pays for what they think it's a retirement or disability for me HOW CAN I GET ANY OTHER HELP LIKE THIS CORONAVIRUS EMERGENCY MONEY FOR OTHERS BUT NOT FOR ME BECAUSE I PAY NO MORE STATE OR FEDERAL TAXES ON A WRITTEN FORM AS I USED TO DO IT LAST TIME FOR THE IRS. AS A REGULAR JOB ?
73yr old and s…
April 07, 2020
I'm 73 yrs old male Disabled paying child support still. How is it fair I dont get money. I need that money to survive as Nd buy thing to stay healthy
Mo
April 07, 2020
I received a check for 600. And I’m on unemployment
10kats
April 07, 2020
Too late, already got one. But I knew it was a scam.
simplelovingman
April 07, 2020
will the stimulus check be deposited into the direct express card account for people on disability
ChevyMike2020
April 20, 2020

In reply to by simplelovingman

It had been giving me the payment status UNAVAILABLE until today. I've had direct Express for over a decade. I'm SSDI. Today it says what date they're going to MAIL my check! Progress, I just thought they were going to put it directly on my card. Won't allow me to change any information either. At least I have a date in a few days. Just no bank account...Good Luck, check again today!
Dez
April 21, 2020

In reply to by simplelovingman

Do not understand when y’all say say the people is on disability automatically get the money on the direct express card
david 51
April 07, 2020
I,am a native American that don't make enough to file taxes don't get ssi /ss or food stamps I own my house will I a check because of a stay at home order that limits my ways of making money to pay bills
Jonny
April 07, 2020
Im on disability permanently. I receive my disability check on my direct express debit card each month. My question is should I expect my stimulus check to be deposited on my direct express card. I haven't filed taxes because I've been told it's not needed. Any help you can provide by answering this will be greatly appreciated. When I call the number on my bank card (direct express) I get an automated message saying "no information about the stimulus program at this time". Just concerned because this is truly needed. Thank you for your time and cooperation.
Don't use your…
April 07, 2020
I had few emails offer fast stimulus check if send by Union express $25 Them tell go kick rock.Free het it why pay them Tax payer pay cost of this government check Pay hell freeze over block them thief are there do not fall for there crap..
Star
April 07, 2020
My mom is my payee and my ssi chheck goes into her account. Will i get my stimulus check in her account to?
Debi56
April 30, 2020

In reply to by Star

I'm my husband's payee he is on disability my name on his card he still has no payment . Can't find no answers to this. Good luck if u do find the answer
John D
April 07, 2020
When will people in Nevada get the $ 600.00 checks ? We have been really effected by this. Will they be paid with unemployment deposits directly into state unemployment debit card acct ?
cltniner
April 07, 2020
If I made almost $200K as a head of household filer in 2019 I won't qualify for the $1,200 but I do have 2 children under 17, would I still be eligible for the $500 per child?
Diana
April 07, 2020
I have custody of my 2 grandkids will I receive a stimulus check for them I did not fill for taxes as I'm retired
Richard
April 07, 2020
Will an individuals' Stimulus Check money go towards the Federal Poverty Threshold they are trying to stay under?
Haze054
April 07, 2020
I just got released from a Federal Prison after serving 10 years how can I apply to receive the stimulus check I've been out since January 27 2020 & due to this Coronavirus the job I was hired for will remain closed until further notice. No job no money no license just my state ID. How will the IRS know where to send me the check if they have no address for me ?
Lucy
April 07, 2020
Is it possible to get an update on the status of payouts. The latest blogs/posts from the FTC only concern scams. Is there another source with more specific information? It's April 7th today.
Bjrm
April 07, 2020
If our Social Security checks are automatically deposited to our bank accounts will the Corona Virus stimulus checks be automatically deposited also?
Kels
April 07, 2020
If you had a child in 2020 do they qualify for a check? If so how do we make sure the government has there information
Lowerytolino2
April 07, 2020
I only receive general relief or some as you know (general assistance)and i also receive EBT does the stimulus coronavirusv19 checks apply to them also is what seemsvto be the talk bout is what alot of americans like to know
Kels
April 07, 2020
If you had a child in 2020 do they qualify for a check? If so how do we make sure the government has there informstion
J1s234
April 07, 2020
I was wondering about people like me that are on social security disability that get my monthly check direct deposited on direct express card will I get a stimulus check? Please let me know .
Don't use your…
April 07, 2020
I am a Grandma Raising my 3 Grandchildren, while their Parent work and claim me on their taxes. in 2019 should I file my own tax return even if I have made no money ???
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