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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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Dave
April 18, 2020

In reply to by R)GER PRATER

Looks like you will receive it the same way your social security benefits are paid to you each month. My parents filed jointly for tax purposes but don't do direct deposit since they had to pay on their taxes this year so the stimulus checks will be sent the same way they get their social security.
Charles Dann.
April 15, 2020
I' 78 years old and I'm retirered and I didn't get $1200.00
Spy1
April 15, 2020
What if you haven't filed a 2018 tax return, you're on social security and IRS can't find your 2019 return how will you get your stimulus check?
Susie Sunday
April 15, 2020
My husband hasn’t filed income taxes in 5 yrs will he get stimulus and proposed 200.00 mo?
middy
April 15, 2020
I received my check today but is was an incorrect amount. I have three children that I know qualify but only got the amount for one adult. Does the other part come separate or is there a way for me to correct it?
FTC Staff
April 15, 2020

In reply to by middy

People who get Social Security, Social Security Disability (SSDI) or Railroad Retirement benefits will get checks from the IRS automatically. If you want to claim the $500 payment per child for your qualifying dependents under age 17, you can use the new web tool from the IRS to give basic information to claim the payment per child.

PATRICIALAREDO
April 15, 2020
I owe child support from the past relationship.i have another child from the present daddy I'm with now.she is getting ssi from her daddy will she get a stimulus check.
SweetLea
April 15, 2020
Did any one with Direct Express card got their money from stumilus check?
Msfaith
April 15, 2020

In reply to by SweetLea

I didn't get my yet and me and my son gets ssi
MARY TRIGG
April 16, 2020

In reply to by SweetLea

I HAVEN'T BUT THEY SAID WE DON'T HAVE TO DO ANYTHING. IT SHOULD GO DIRECTLY ON OUR CARD LIKE OUR PAY EACH MONTH DOES. IM PRAYING THAT IT IS SOON. I HAVE SPENT WHAT WAS LEFT FOR THINGS WHILE THEY WERE STILL ON THE SHELVES AT THE STORE.CAN'T FIND ANT PAPER TOWELS OR TISSUE PAPER. I WAS ABLE TO FIND SOME KLEENEX FOR THE BATHROOM .MARY IN SOUTH CAROLINA
Barbara
April 15, 2020
I don’t file taxes since my S.S is very little. Will I still get a government check
FTC Staff
April 15, 2020

In reply to by Barbara

The IRS is automatically sending payments to people who filed their taxes in 2018 or 2019, and people who get Social Security, Railroad Retiree or SSDI benefits.

Janeytapp77
April 15, 2020
When am I going to get my stimulus check on my direct Express card I need to know
Northcoastbreez
April 15, 2020
I made excess in 2019 but on SSI now in 2020. Can I still get a check?
Don't use your…
April 15, 2020
Will retired fed government employees whose annuities are supplemented with social security receive a surplus, and if so, will they be required to file a tax or will they receive their surplus automatically as regular social security beneficiaries will.
Groms
April 15, 2020
I'm on disability and so is my son he is adult and I'm his payee neither one of us got a stimulus checks direct deposit when I use tool it says we don't qualify y is that when social security said we both qualify can some one tell me something please
Jamaica jackie
April 15, 2020
If a person is on SSI are the eligible for a stimulus check . thank you.
gwendolynsingl…
April 15, 2020
I get SSI monthly payment on my DirectExpress card,so will send it on card, don't have a bank account? please let me know.
Rudy mendez
April 15, 2020
If I was used as a dependent in 2019 but not this year, will I be eligible for a stimulus check? I am on SSI disability.
brookemcintyre22
April 15, 2020
My check got deposited into wrong account and I can’t get it back from him
T2smalz
April 15, 2020
I am a father of two in my girlfriend does not work... She is a stay-at-home mother... I claim her as a dependent... so does she not get a stimulus check?
Diana78
April 15, 2020
Is their any new information on recipients who receive SSI on a direct express card?
JEWEL
April 15, 2020
Anybody have the EOne Visa prepaid card?
Jeff G
April 15, 2020
What do we do if the account they said the check was being deposited in is not my account? My Stimulus check is going to someone else and I have no idea how to fix it.
SDCN43
April 15, 2020
What happens if you only received credit for one child and not the other? My husband and I had our second child in July of 2019, filed taxes March of 2020 and claimed both children, but we only received credit for one on the stimulus. I know it's trivial but when you are not working that extra little bit helps with formula and other baby essentials!!
Don't use your…
April 15, 2020
Will stay at home parents receive a stimulus check
puppies
April 15, 2020
Will I get a stimilus check on ssi disability check? please let me know.
Msfaith
April 15, 2020
Will we be getting our stimulus check deposit into our Direct Express card please answer me back
Bug
April 15, 2020
If im on workers comp will i get a check
C n
April 15, 2020
I owe back child support yet I claim head of household and a child. Are they really going to take the money even for the kid I claim towards back child support as though it's not needed by us right now? They electronically sent my payment but it was intercepted.... I expected at least the 500 for the kid in my care....
Spider1980
April 15, 2020
Im on ssi Disability i thught i get a stimulus check deposits i guess im not one of them to get one it hurts by the government of trump admestaration
mommysermeno
April 15, 2020
Hi my question is I battled cancer in 2017 and 2018 .I didn’t file my taxes.. Will I be able to get a Stimulating check because of the COVID 19 please please let me know
Sylvia ponce
April 15, 2020
Will I get my stimulus money on my DirectExpress and when do I need to check for it I get social security disability
Skneer
April 15, 2020
What happens if stimulas check went to old bank account in another state
Marcus 58
April 15, 2020
My wife and I both work and we only received a direct deposit of $1200 ,should have been $2900
Bsmiln
April 15, 2020
I just received my direct deposit today. What if I think the amount is off? Can I dispute it?
Branhammills330
April 15, 2020
Hey will I get my stimulus on my liberty tax card for 2019
Robby
April 15, 2020
If my domestic partner claims me on her taxes do I qualify for the stimulus check
Jan
April 15, 2020
If there ever is another stimulus check, the income that it is based on should not be doubled for a couple as a single has the same bills if they own a home. Or, the single amount should be more than half of a couple.
iac
April 15, 2020
What if you owe back taxes less then 500 will you receive a check
bella
April 15, 2020
I’m 18 I filled my taxes for 2018 and 2019 but I still live with my parents do I get a check?
Gnick831
May 06, 2020
So what happens if you are on ssi and you owe child support but you cant afford it because you have no income does that mean you still get your stimules check because ppl on ssi cant pay child support so I really hope they fix this cause right now 700 dollars a month after paying rent and Bill's ppl have nothing to survive
Jessicakushner
April 15, 2020
I am a stay at home mom. Husband works. He has no debt. I have school debt. He filed injured spouse so he wouldn't have to pay my school debt. We received 1450 for a stimulus check today....exactly half of what we should have. Where can I report the screw up? Or who can i talk to so it can get fixed. That number represents 1200 for one person and 250 for our child. I think somebody screwed up somewhere. Can maybe I get some doable ideas or maybe some kind of answer about what happened or anything?
RBABYCOOPA
April 15, 2020
I owed back child support but my 2019 taxes were garnished back in the last week of February this year and the return covered everything but 68 dollars.child support has not just yet applied the money to my account but instead it is on hold with the state and has not been sent down to the child support disbursement unit to be applied to the account so I am wondering what is going to happen to my stimulus payment because it's still showing up as an offset due to them not posting the funds to the account just yet and the balance of 68 dollars that's still there?????someone PLEASE HELP ME WITH THIS.........
Chris
April 15, 2020
Why did my stimulus check get taken away because my spouse owes back child support? Income was solely mine and we have children is our household. How do you tell your kids your loosing your house but someone else is eating filet mignon? NOT FAIR!!!!!!!!
somethingnew
April 15, 2020
will my money go on my dreict express card i am diseable and did not file any taxes
Tina
April 15, 2020
Can I have stumulus check because I have not worked many years, but I am US citizen? Thanks for your answering.
Billy
April 15, 2020
I'm a veteran getting pension and said and married to a green card holder I have no idea what to do
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