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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.

1129#Sandy. …
March 21, 2020

In reply to by Sketcher

Will disabled people on social security get a stimulus check.
Polwort
April 24, 2020

In reply to by 1129#Sandy. …

On sss and do not pay taxes alsoim widow and get widow benefits will I get a check
Simba
March 20, 2020

In reply to by I on disabilit…

Does social security recieptienys get a stimulus check?
antoinette_325
March 20, 2020

In reply to by I on disabilit…

No one is answering the questions about being on SSI , I can't find a number to call either
FTC Staff
March 20, 2020

In reply to by antoinette_325

As of today, there are no confirmed details about any stimulus money. Watch for updates from trusted news sources to find the latest.

Jszara
March 21, 2020

In reply to by FTC Staff

The question is...Seniors that no longer file taxes Do We Get A Check and will it be deposited in our monthly SS Check?
Tamilynn2476
March 20, 2020

In reply to by antoinette_325

People on SSI will jot be getting the checks, we don't pay anu taxes. Its based on people that work and pay taxes. People who are on Disability may be getting a check but i do know that SSI recipients do no mot qualify.
JC
April 02, 2020

In reply to by Tamilynn2476

As if April 1st that decision on all social security recipients not receiving the stimulus check has been reversed. All will qualify whether you paid taxes or not. It will be direct deposited into your bank automatically. According to the treasury department you don't have to do anything.
EB
March 21, 2020

In reply to by antoinette_325

When stimulus checks were given before, if I remember right, I don't think they were given to people on SSI. Just workers got them. I think people drawing their social security retirement will get a check but I don't think those on SSI will. Unless they're going to include us this time. I guess we'll just have to wait and see. But if by some slim chance we do, it most likely won't be as much as workers will get. I'd be grateful for anything tho.
Junebug13
March 21, 2020

In reply to by antoinette_325

I seen on fox news they said people on SSI will receive less around 600 dollars.
Scott
March 21, 2020

In reply to by antoinette_325

They are trying to figure all this out.. There is no plan no book on this its all first hand for everyone be patient do your due diligence read up on everything and watch the news this still has to be passed but they are doing everything they can to take care of us Americans just remember signing all the answers starts with u but please have patience this is new to everyone
Riley44
March 21, 2020

In reply to by antoinette_325

Just be patient and wait for the stimulus package to officially be approved and announced with all the details. Your questions can not be answered by anyone right now.
Crystal
March 22, 2020

In reply to by antoinette_325

No there not answering these questions about disability. I'm wondering too
Jennifer
March 22, 2020

In reply to by antoinette_325

It's because the bill hasnt passed yet, they are fighting it out in congress and senate. We didn't get the Bush Stimulus of $600 adults $300 per child, but we didn't so i am not going to get my hopes up
Don't use your…
April 03, 2020

In reply to by antoinette_325

I would like to know how are people on disability able to get their check straight deposit to their account well how are we going to be getting our money since it's not taxable
RevBrian
March 21, 2020

In reply to by Jan

I definitely hope so, We on social security disability or social security retirement or SSI benefits, and our veterans are affected by this virus just like the rest, we have pre-existing conditions, we had to by emergency supplies but a great many of us like check to check, We're all Americans and if help is being given by our government we should be included in any assistance package and at the same amount
Don'tPdidy use…
March 20, 2020

In reply to by I on disabilit…

I am on SSDI will I get a stimulus check?
Edward Williams
March 21, 2020

In reply to by I on disabilit…

I on disability what would I be able to get a stimulus check
Lucy
April 11, 2020

In reply to by Edward Williams

I am on disability when will I get a stimulus deposit to my bank?
Tony
March 21, 2020

In reply to by I on disabilit…

I'm on Social Security Disability will I receive a check
wilma flint
March 21, 2020

In reply to by I on disabilit…

will people drawing disability that don't file taxes get a stimulas check?
Michelle234
March 21, 2020

In reply to by I on disabilit…

I think we are the ones that deserves this stimulus check because we're disable and can't work.
Petras
March 21, 2020

In reply to by I on disabilit…

As a pensioner on a Disability. I look forward to any assistance that might come my way. The only organisations who will benefit from my assistance will be the banks. At least my own debt will reduce.
Don't use yoDw…
March 22, 2020

In reply to by I on disabilit…

I certainly hope that disabled on ssdi reduardless of filing a tax return or student loans will also receive a stimulas check. How could the government ignore, the facts of we never have enough to make ends meet on a good day . We desperately need it.
tinastraughan5…
March 23, 2020

In reply to by I on disabilit…

If I am on ssa can I receive a 2020 stimulus check
NCAD
March 26, 2020

In reply to by I on disabilit…

My husband receives disability, will he receive a check?
Lupe Jimenez
March 26, 2020

In reply to by I on disabilit…

I need to know I'm I going get help with extra mony on check ssi
yvonne atkins
April 14, 2020

In reply to by I on disabilit…

I incorrectly answered a question. I then received a code in the mail. I used the code and made my correction. Did that have any effect on the monies going into our bank account.
FTC Staff
March 20, 2020

In reply to by Donjanetlbrown…

As of today, there are no confirmed details about any stimulus money. Watch for updates from trusted news sources to find the latest.

crazykidsinn
March 21, 2020

In reply to by FTC Staff

I am on disability and have a son that received part of my benefit. How will they know how much stimulus will be awarded to me and my son if any?
Mississippi696…
March 22, 2020

In reply to by Donjanetlbrown…

Will people on ssi income get the stimulus money
Dosanta clausn…
March 23, 2020

In reply to by Donjanetlbrown…

Dont count on SSI people getting anything. SSI disable people usually get pushed aside because were no important enough to count. Most of us live 400 plus % below poverty.
Don't use beau…
March 22, 2020

In reply to by Diz

Will people that are permanent residents here in the United States receives a stimulus check and they're on SSDI.
Tb49Cb41
March 20, 2020

In reply to by Don't use your…

Will people that draw social security disability get the stimulus check
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