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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.
  • 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.

Annette
April 11, 2020

In reply to by Leon Sinclair

I get my Social Security Disability check Direct Deposit will I receive my Stimulus check Direct Deposit also?
Homebound2020
April 05, 2020

In reply to by Roycheek

If you were incarcerated in 2019, on assistance, or employed currently will you be eligible for a stimulus check?
Moheek
March 29, 2020

In reply to by Curtis233

Since the coronavirus 19 crisis me and my family tried to stay safe and in the house and quarantine I'm out of work collecting unemployment and I would like to receive I would like to know if I'm going to receive assessment check cuz I did do my taxes and how long do unemployment vandalize is Imma have an extension and I want to going to get the extra $600 thank you
Timothy Turner
March 25, 2020

In reply to by silversister

I was wondering if people with disabilities would receive a check ???
't use your e-…
March 27, 2020

In reply to by Littlebit

judy will i receive a stimulus check if i'm on social security
Bayouboy
March 25, 2020

In reply to by silversister

Will everyone who receives ssi receive money from the government due to the coronavirus
Pbjchucky
March 25, 2020

In reply to by silversister

I don't think it's fair to give people that kind of money and not take care of the elderly and the disabled these workers are already getting unemployment. Why not hold them accountable for what they spend it on cause it is a lot of money and people just got there tax checks . it would have been better to pay the bills for them. So I make a lossy thousand dollars a month and now you're going to give people three or four thousand dollars plus there unemployment. They get rich and I may get nothing.
use your e-mai…
March 25, 2020

In reply to by silversister

Will the disabled and veterans received stimulus check we need help as well
b.rencarge
April 10, 2020

In reply to by silversister

Will people on disability get a check from stimulus package
nae
March 30, 2020

In reply to by waddell

If on social security & no taxes filed will we get the stimulus package.
Don't use your…
April 19, 2020

In reply to by waddell

i just wounding if will be getting the $2400 check and if so when will we will receive it
Ricky dankee
March 30, 2020

In reply to by garyferreri

If I did not file income tax in 2018 cause did not make enough money will I receive a check
Dennis lDon't …
March 25, 2020

In reply to by silversister

If I’m on disability will I get a stimulus check
Don'tlinda new…
March 25, 2020

In reply to by silversister

I was wanting to know if people on ssi will get a stimulus check?
Chazz 10120
March 25, 2020

In reply to by silversister

I have been a caregiver for someone who is disabled for 8 years no pay except gas and groceries. Can I qualify for a check.
Unpaidcaregiver
April 06, 2020

In reply to by Chazz 10120

Did you get an answer? I get no money at all for being my husband's caregiver. He draws disability and has Medicare. I draw nothing and have no insurance. I want to know the answer to your question as much as you need to know. Please let me know when
Don't use ysto…
March 25, 2020

In reply to by silversister

I'm on disability and hurting bad dose anyone know if we get a check.
Annahula
March 25, 2020

In reply to by silversister

I get direct deposit each month from ssi disability as I am 66 with cancer and s serious heart condition. Will a check from government be directly deposited to same bank account ?
Annette
April 11, 2020

In reply to by Annahula

I am on SSDI and Bed Bound, my SSDI check is Direct Deposit will my Stimulus check also be Direct Deposit???
Patsyussery
March 25, 2020

In reply to by silversister

I recieve a disaboility check do i get the 1200.00 cornavirus check
lakota
March 26, 2020

In reply to by silversister

will people on SSDI receive stimulus chedck from federal government
FTC Staff
April 15, 2020

In reply to by Im broke

People on SSI do not get checks automatically. You can go online and give the IRS basic information so you can get a payment.

Go to this page and click the blue button that says “Non-filer: Enter Payment Information Here” to start.

edeebre-
March 26, 2020

In reply to by silversister

I receive SSI Disability. I don't file because I have nothing held from my disability check. Will I receive a stimulus check?
Lindaswink55
April 03, 2020

In reply to by silversister

My husband and I r both on disability. He has,stage 4 lung cancer.,do we qualify
Buffy
April 14, 2020

In reply to by Dot1956

I receive my SSI retirement. Will I receive stimulus benefit?
Patricia
March 26, 2020

In reply to by silversister

I marry my husband's on unemployment and I get a very very small amount of disability from SSI what I received a check from the government for the stimulate?
tdgolf14
April 12, 2020

In reply to by Disable person

if your in arrears with child support but been up to date never behind will I receive the stimulous
FTC Staff
April 15, 2020

In reply to by lolamills91

People on SSI do not get checks automatically. You can go online and give the IRS basic information so you can get a payment.

Go to this page and click the blue button that says “Non-filer: Enter Payment Information Here” to start.

tim weekley
March 27, 2020

In reply to by silversister

will people on SSI get a stimulus check for the coronavirus. If yes what do we need to co to receive one. Thank you
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