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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.

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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.

beenieweenie
March 26, 2020

In reply to by Babyjamed52

Just because you are retired and on Social Security I think we should get a check because you have worked for
meg311
March 20, 2020

In reply to by JenC

Will people on social security be getting a check?
Dolly
March 20, 2020

In reply to by JenC

Will people on SS BE RECEIVING A CHECK TOO?
emma1998
March 20, 2020

In reply to by JenC

I receive ssdi but I did work for 40 years will I receive a stimulus check
Don't use your…
March 20, 2020

In reply to by emma1998

I heard them say taxpayers so I take that to mean people that file taxes are the only ones to get a stimulus check.
Ken
March 20, 2020

In reply to by JenC

Do ssi disability people get a stimulace check ?
FTC Staff
March 20, 2020

In reply to by Ken

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

Bjoiner
March 20, 2020

In reply to by JenC

Will senior on social security get a check from government for the coronavirus
Punkey
March 20, 2020

In reply to by JenC

I too would like to know that, plus will people on Retirement get one.
Cholies mama
March 20, 2020

In reply to by JenC

Yes there are alot of worries when it comes to how its sent if not by driect deposits. I sure hope they send it in a matter you have to prove it's you and sign for them... I don't really know, let's say just hoping...
Cholies mama
March 20, 2020

In reply to by JenC

Yes there are alot of worries when it comes to how its sent if not by driect deposits. I sure hope they send it in a matter you have to prove it's you and sign for them... I don't really know, let's say just hoping...
Obsuzie
March 20, 2020

In reply to by JenC

Will people on Social Security get the checks ?
FTC Staff
March 20, 2020

In reply to by Obsuzie

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

heather
March 18, 2020

In reply to by SallyAlso

will people who get disability get checks also?
Bay View
March 19, 2020

In reply to by heather

Will people on social security get the money also?
Rain
March 19, 2020

In reply to by heather

I'm hoping that the goal of the money is to stimulate the economy so that means everyone will get a check. I have SSDI but I work part time in order to actually buy food and pay bills. I have 30 cents in my checking account and not enough food to last the rest of the month.
Bayou Bear
March 19, 2020

In reply to by heather

Does anyone review questions and answer them? Seems like a lot of questions and time went into this page but I see no answers.
FTC Staff
March 20, 2020

In reply to by Bayou Bear

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

Don't use your…
March 19, 2020

In reply to by heather

I’m on dissability from social security and have no taxable income will I get the money from stimulouse package
Accordb123
March 19, 2020

In reply to by heather

That's my question also I hope so stay the same for taxpayers but I don't receive enough disability to file taxes I hope we do mcdeavitt you really could use it
Mikehunt
March 20, 2020

In reply to by heather

That's what I would like to know.
$heaven415
March 20, 2020

In reply to by heather

Will people receiving disability get a check due to the coronavirus
George Hafto
March 20, 2020

In reply to by heather

I collect SSD wil i receive a stimulus check from the Government ?
Nessey
March 20, 2020

In reply to by heather

Will people on SSI and ssd or people that r collecting widow benefits will be entitled to the stimulus check and if so will it be a paper check or direct deposited??
davesoda61
March 20, 2020

In reply to by heather

will people on disability receive a stimulus check
FTC Staff
March 20, 2020

In reply to by davesoda61

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

Bwezt1
March 20, 2020

In reply to by heather

Iam on social security Disability me and others are questioning if we will recieve a govenment check .We paid into the system and have hardships as well connected to the co-vid 19 epidemic seems only fair to use
Dogeatdog
March 26, 2020

In reply to by heather

I an on disability cks... when working I paid in taxes but never kept up on filling so does this disqualify me
Barbara's Benefits
March 18, 2020

In reply to by SallyAlso

Hi Sally! Do people on disability get a $1000 stimulus check too?
AnnC
March 19, 2020

In reply to by SallyAlso

I believe to get money out fast, they will use bank /deposit info from Tax returns and SS Admin. The report was it will be out quicker than previous stimulus checks, because all SS benefits are direct deposit to bank or debit cards. And more than 90% of Tax payers file electronically for direct deposit.
es. Mary diamond
March 19, 2020

In reply to by SallyAlso

Do peoles that get disalbled get 1000. We need it bad no for anything i have money to buy the thinh to keep me frome getting sick mary doamonf
Precious7979
March 19, 2020

In reply to by SallyAlso

Would like to know this as well.
juls
March 19, 2020

In reply to by SallyAlso

are those on disability getting a stimulus check?
Timmmmm
March 19, 2020

In reply to by SallyAlso

I too am Disabled and wonder if we will get some relief money. A friend of mine who gets SOC SEC Supplemental thought she/they may not get a check. I am guessing since we paid into Soc Sec and are Disabled we may get something. My friend said she didn't pay enough into the system to get a check (SHE DOES however get a reduced amount SSI check monthly. I just don't know how these two different cases will be handled (concerning the corona-virus stimulus check payout
Corizon
March 19, 2020

In reply to by Timmmmm

Yes folks on SSI are listed on the proposals, both sides of the Aisle and treasury recommendation include retirees, the disabled, Vets and children.
Totall
March 19, 2020

In reply to by Timmmmm

From what I understand if you receive a disability SSI SSDI (excluding veteran disability which will qualify) you will NOT receive any amount
Nobody
March 27, 2020

In reply to by Totall

THAT is NOT true...read ..do your research!!!!yes those on social security, disability etc WILL be getting the 1,200 direct deposit rd just like your monthly check!!! Y
dg
March 19, 2020

In reply to by Timmmmm

EVERY AMERICAN gets a check. Whoever earns under 75k a year. Disabled or not. they get one.
antoinette_325
March 19, 2020

In reply to by Timmmmm

Tim, or everyone , I was wondering the same thing about SSD and SSI , If they still get a check, does anyone know ? The don't mention it on TV EVER. I can't find anywhere that mentions it either, I've been listening to Tv and nothing there ...
BrittanyKrebs23
March 19, 2020

In reply to by Timmmmm

I'm Hoping and Pray we do get this pay. We should get it more than the workers.. ppl dont like the real struggle getting only 7 hundred and some dollars and trying to live off of that for 5 people!
morksmindy
March 23, 2020

In reply to by Timmmmm

Wondering if disability people would receive stimulus ss well
Char
March 20, 2020

In reply to by Timmmmm

I read if you don’t file tax returns you might get a smaller check, but it’s only for tax payers. If that’s the case why did we pay taxes all those years we were able to work. And if we’re not considered taxpayers then why do we pay taxes everytime we buy something? I’m just alittle upset, I don’t think this is right. The virus has put us in a financial hardship also.
pslngo
March 19, 2020

In reply to by SallyAlso

Will people on SSDI receive the stimulus checks?
Broke n dwn
March 24, 2020

In reply to by pslngo

I was on disability my short term 1 yr has come as of last month as of right now no income at all no bank account will I still get a check ?
byrdpopo66
March 19, 2020

In reply to by SallyAlso

will folks on SSI retirement that dont make enought to file still get stimulous money
Emo
March 19, 2020

In reply to by SallyAlso

It states it will be auto deposit if you normally get your payments that way.
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