Skip to main content
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.

Topics
Shopping and Donating
Health
Jobs and Making Money
Unwanted Calls, Emails, and Texts
Don'aline fran…
April 17, 2020
If I received SSi check for my kids do I get a stumilus check
Don't Victoria…
April 17, 2020
Do I qualify to get stimulus payment if I owe money to SSDI?
George Medrano
April 17, 2020
If I am underage and resive a social security check every month do I still qualify for the government relief stimulas check they have for the Cornviruse
Kawanisht use …
April 17, 2020
Hello i am on disability and i been living from out of mt aunts house for bout 9 mths now and she claimed on her taxes cause i was in her house for 6mths i think but i been on my own for 9mth now how can i get the stimulus check i am disable and need it more than anything
bunnygirl08072007
May 06, 2020
Will people that have DirectExpress cards receive the money the same way they receive their regular SSI payments
genitacamby
May 06, 2020
I filed with liberty tax and I still haven't received my payment....what do I do
Tired
April 17, 2020
I have served my country and worked hard to make a good living for my family and now because I make a certain amount of money I can't get a check in this time of uncertainty why should I vote for you
Edna
April 17, 2020
Well I went to the bank and no money I am on SSI and the lady had told me that I had to fill out the forms to get the check if not when will it be in the bank
Katherinerowe7…
April 17, 2020
I get so and so when will I get the check that everyone is talking about
Lea
April 17, 2020
I owe back money to ssi/ssa will I be getting this check or will they take it like they do my taxes every year
M. KaeDon't us…
April 17, 2020
The site said I was entitled to a stimulus check. When I completed the form giving my bank account number, I was told I had to enter either refund or tax owed. What so you do if neither applies? Then I was locked out??
Frank@68
April 17, 2020
Why is it taking so long to receive unemployment checks already 1 month waiting
Sandy
April 17, 2020
My daughter is being put into a rehabilitation center as of tomorrowshe is also going to be scheduled for a heart valve replacement can she still apply for the stimulus check
Janice
April 17, 2020
When will I get my stimulatis package? I draw ssi..? I only got 125 dollars for April
Young mother o…
April 17, 2020
Why were check sent out to qualifying children under the age of 17
Unfair
April 17, 2020
You know what sucks if someone Claimed you on the taxes and your on ssi or sad you don’t get a dime ! That so wrong because because the people that Claim you get nothing and you also get nothing! Me and my 18 was Claimed and we get nothing and we are both on Social Security disability!
Anthonykey63
April 17, 2020
Why can I get any information on the Get my payment tool.
Brimmich
April 17, 2020
I’m 72, live alone, am unemployed since December 2019, and on social security. I have not received one penny of promised government aid. Something is not working.
Don't use your…
April 18, 2020
My 1200.00 stimulus was intercepted for past child support BUT will and why would they take my 10 year old sons from another marriage that I have custody of and claimed on both years returns..his father passed away 3 years ago. Ate they taking HIS 500 TOWARDS MY PAST ARREARS..because that should not be!!
Dojewls12n't u…
April 18, 2020
Do people receiving l&I payments get a stimulus check
Unfair
April 18, 2020
You know what sucks if someone Claimed you on the taxes and your on ssi or sad you don’t get a dime ! That so wrong because because the people that Claim you get nothing and you also get nothing! Me and my 18 was Claimed and we get nothing and we are both on Social Security disability!
Ardareous1011
April 18, 2020
Ok i still have NOT gotten my stimulus money. I know we get it for us but i have 1 16 yr old on my direct express with me. Idk if he will get paid as well? His dad claimed him on taxes but he lives with me? Aldo if they go by 2018 and /or 2019 all 3 of my kids were on my Direct express card and get money. So i dont know when or if they will get money. Their dad only claimed my youngest. So i have been checking irs thing and get status not available. And it says to check back later. Im getting ticked off. I dont make much as it is. And rent could be paid with this. My landlord is pressuring us. So where is the money and when will it come? I check the direct Express mobile app and nothing. Somebody with the correct answers pls answer?
SEPTYSUE
April 18, 2020
Ive filed 2018, 2019, im a divorced retail clerk, & I pay government the taxes every year for the little maintenence payments I receive from my ex husband, theres no information on me as getting corona relieve check.. how can I get a check I deserve just as much as everyone else
Rob
April 18, 2020
I was recently incarcerated and I have been looking for a job for months. But no where is hiring due to the corona virus. Am I eligible for government help?
BeckyDon't use…
April 18, 2020
What does it mean when it says, your eligibility can't be determined at this time ? I live on SSI & this is my only income.
Retiredafterlo…
April 18, 2020
I do not think severance payments in 2019 (after a job loss) should be used to determine income with regards to the stimulus checks. If I had waited to file my 2019 taxes instead of filing them in February, I would have received a stimulus check based on my 2018 income. I received severance pay in 2019 due to a company layoff and early retirement which pushed me over the top of the income limits. Totally not fair.
JJG
April 18, 2020
I can tell some of the people with questions that YES that SSI & SSDI WILL receive the stimulus ! You will get it faster if you have automatic deposit & have filed a return in 2018 or 2019. If you have not filed taxes, it will take longer & may be by check. My granddaughter received her check last week and she gets SSI & works part time & filed taxes in 2018 but not yet for 2019. Also checks are going out, my husband & I received our $ 2400 on the 15th, we collect social security, had our taxes filed already and have automatic deposit!
Pattycake57
April 18, 2020
When will i get my check I'm on Medicare
Ersan12@48
April 18, 2020
When will the $1250.0 be paid
rokidelphia
April 18, 2020
I owe criminal restitution will my stimulus check be intercepted?
Foxie406
April 18, 2020
My husband is in prison, I pay for everything he has to buy in there this includes time to talk on the phone with his kids and it is quit pricey. They are also having to deal with changes in the world while they are in there. Why do they not qualify. At least let some of them pay off some of their child support.
Connor23
April 18, 2020
I moved and filed my return already using my old address. My check is set to ship on April 24th and the address they have on file is my old address. It shows online that government checks don’t get forwarded. If I forwarded my address through USPS will I receive my stimulus check to my new address... as it is too short of time to update it through the IRS.
Laurac74
April 19, 2020
Why the lies? SSDI. no check yet. At the beginning lead ys to believe our check was coming. Nope not here. And we believed you. So I bought more groceries. Now I'm broke and still have bills to pay. So you have niss lead me. Not helping. Shame on you.
Danny
April 19, 2020
If I use netspend for payroll deposits every week, and the irs will not deposit stimulas check on it. When will I get the check in the mail?
GerryHunt
April 19, 2020
Will you get the check the same time you get your regular check?
Flboyjo
April 19, 2020
I`ve checked where is my payment everyday last week. all it says is cannot determine eligibility. I filed my 2018 takes jointly with my wife. All my friend who I talked to has received their stimulus check
Jsweett813
April 19, 2020
If some 1 got $800 from d stimulus check n not $1200 im d mother of a disabled adult child n i get $400 a month. Is dat d reason 400 was taken out?
Tracybad
April 19, 2020
I have a different direct Express card then the one I had in 2019 will I still be able to get my stimulus money direct deposited?
shescountry
April 19, 2020
So this is the first year of me filing taxes and claiming my kids. I got a refund for 2019. My ex husband filed taxes in 2018 and claimed the children. But he did not work any for this year's tax season so he didn't file taxes but he received the 500$ stimulus for the 3 kids cause they went by his 2018 taxes. Will I get the $500 per kid since I filed them for 2019 and claimed them? He shouldn't have gotten the kids portion of the stimulus
Doi want some …
April 19, 2020
Do I get a stimulus check if I receive SSI & SSA & I DON'T FILE TAX'S DUE TO BEGIN DISABLED? I ALSO RECEIVE AFDC HELP? OR IS THERE A # TO CALL TO SEE IF I QUALIFY TO RECEIVE $????
ELB
April 19, 2020
Hi! I recently adopted a child whom I received in 2019. I received a stimulus check without the $500 for my dependent. Once I receive a social security number and file my taxes with this child as a dependent, will I be able to receive the $500 I didn't receive earlier?
Taffy
April 19, 2020
I am on SSI I have a payee I will receive a stimulus check it is direct-deposited do the payee since this is not a social security matter are they required to send that $1,200 to me
Joheat55
April 20, 2020

In reply to by Taffy

I want to know the same thing. I'm okay with my payer getting it in the Direct Express card for my funds. I want to know if by my debit card being in her name on my behalf, will it slow it down?
Barbarameyer
April 19, 2020
I only have credit union savings bank that's it an I have my derect exspress for my social sercurty so how am I going get my stimules check I am disable
Aaliyah sue114…
April 19, 2020
I want to know if I'd get my granddaughter s stimulus check if I've had custody of her for over a year?
Needanswers2020
April 19, 2020
I received confirmation from the IRS that my children and I portion of the economic impact check went into my husband's account I am not on. We are separated. He refuses to give us our portion ( he wanted us to leave and they are not his biological children). Any suggestions?
Upstate NY 77
April 19, 2020
Will the stimulus get deposited on my net spend card I got threw liberty tax
Donnag
April 19, 2020
Is these check are ongoing or is this , one time??
Robert Chester
April 20, 2020
MY NAME IS ROBERT CHESTER I CHECKED THE IRS APP FOR MY CHECK AND MY CHECK WAS SUPPOSED TO BE DEPOSITED IN MY ACCOUNT ON APRIL 15TH. 2020. AND IT WENT IN THE WRONG ACCOUNT I GET SSI BENEFITS. ONCE A MONTH
Return to top