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

It is your choice whether to submit a comment. If you do, you must create a user name, or we will not post your comment. The Federal Trade Commission Act authorizes this information collection for purposes of managing online comments. Comments and user names are part of the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) public records system, and user names also are part of the FTC’s computer user records system. We may routinely use these records as described in the FTC’s Privacy Act system notices. For more information on how the FTC handles information that we collect, please read our privacy policy.

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.
  • We won’t post comments that include vulgar messages, personal attacks by name, or offensive terms that target specific people or groups.
  • 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.

Hopetogetachec…
March 20, 2020

In reply to by Vkrose

Just plain and simple Will people who receive SSI checks get the $1000 added to what they receive each month.Yes or No
FTC Staff
March 20, 2020

In reply to by Hopetogetachec…

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

Love
March 18, 2020

In reply to by SILKYGM

The only parties not included in the stimulus are millionaires. Everyone else will receive a check.
Court
March 18, 2020

In reply to by SILKYGM

As a retired Senior receiving Social Security and Medicare benefits, I am not expecting to see this initial $1k distribution. COVID-19 is having no income effect on me at the current time. That's ok and I would rather see a younger family/person, like my kids and their families, get any available cash as they ARE being impacted.
Lori
March 18, 2020

In reply to by SILKYGM

I hope so, however, according to the news, I think it is for tax payers. I'm a disabled vet, so was wondering too, so I have been watching Trump's updates and it seems to me it is for those with taxable income.
AnnC
March 19, 2020

In reply to by SILKYGM

We should. If you Google it there was a stimulus sent out in 2008. At that time a law passed to included SSA, SSDI, Railroad and VA retiree income to be counted as income to get stimulus. Even though our income isn't generally taxed.
FTC Staff
March 20, 2020

In reply to by daggett_g@

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

I hope
March 19, 2020

In reply to by SILKYGM

My son and I, are both disable I'm scared, does anyone know if we will be receiving a stimulus, we do not file or pay taxes, on disability benefits.
2Reddy
March 19, 2020

In reply to by I hope

Yes, Social Security recipients will get a check. Every month until this is over.
It says it’s …
March 19, 2020

In reply to by I hope

It says it’s for people who filed taxes last year, so if you didn’t file you won’t get one, I’m on Social Security and 100% disabled, o won’t get one.
SalenaPatt
March 19, 2020

In reply to by I hope

I am also on SSD...and wondering if I will receive a check. Yes we may not pay taxes from working but we pay taxes every time we go into a store or restaurant. Because I receive way less then $1000 a month! So I really will receive a stimulus.
SuperRambo622
March 25, 2020

In reply to by SalenaPatt

Will all veterans get the stimulus check even though they don't file taxes .
Army Vet
March 19, 2020

In reply to by I hope

Im wondering the same thing. I get veterans disability and do not file taxes. I was reading an article which said that the checks will be based on your 2018 taxes. Does this meen disabled veterans and disabled americans that dont file taxes are going to not recieve a check?
Accordb123
March 19, 2020

In reply to by I hope

Same here are we on disability and SSI going to receive a stimulus check
Don't use your…
March 20, 2020

In reply to by I hope

I can't understand anything I have read. I just wish it would say seniors are going to get a check.
Kpop
March 19, 2020

In reply to by SILKYGM

Will ppl on social security get the check too? It seems like the question is being avoided
FTC Staff
March 20, 2020

In reply to by Kpop

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

Anonymous
March 19, 2020

In reply to by SILKYGM

I hope Social Security beneficiaries (retirees and those getting disability income) could expect to see extra payment.
cmgibbons
March 19, 2020

In reply to by SILKYGM

So far their saying regardless whether you had to pay taxes or not in (2018) while on ssd or ssi you won’t be receiving the stimulus, now that could change, their still discussing..personally I hope so! many people in 2018 may not have worked but are now even if not on ssi
Debnova
March 19, 2020

In reply to by SILKYGM

I wonder if people who receive a PENSION (income) or SS will qualify, because we DO have money coming in. People WITHOUT a means of income will mostly likely get the $$ , although I think there should be a limit on wealthy people receiving it. People with money coming in are not the first priority IMHO. It may depend of how much and their circumstances. I worry that it would be WAY to complicated to do a good job of qualifying people. I do think the gov't. will NOT be giving people with income any or not much. Blessings to all and be safe.
thumper
March 20, 2020

In reply to by SILKYGM

More than likely no, I guess they figure since we don’t pay taxes anymore we don’t matter, but you know ya self ya use to living on way below the poverty line. I don’t get it thou cause of all the extra money folks like my mother are having to put out because of this virus will leave most really short at the end of the month and now most can’t get to the food bank for help, I’m sorry that it’s sounding like you will be forgotten once more. I mean there not looking to see if anyone is out of work or if there working regular hours and overtime but they will still give them a stimulus check, even like 500 per kid but not a nickel for seniors,I wish they would include you and the others on ssi but everything I have read so far they aren’t even considering ya’l for that I’m truly SORRY! I hope they prove me wrong but it’s not looking like it ; (
SavingSeniors
March 18, 2020
Thank you for the heads up because most of us who are honest may not have given the scammers a thought. But I am certain they are gearing up to confiscate as much as they possibly can. Awareness is a wonderful thing.
Donnahughes
March 18, 2020

In reply to by SavingSeniors

No we the ones on SSI that really need don't get it we out food water off and no help
richard51863
March 18, 2020
I was one of the many people scammed through western union.it took along time for the ftc to get this lawsuit against westernunion to get settled.i was scammed in 2004 and would like to say kudos to ftc for making them pay up.16 yrs later,i got my money back.kudos again,never thought I would see a dime of that.thank you so much
Happy Hunter
March 18, 2020
Thank-you, thank-you, thank-you for getting ahead of the scams that are coming. I love it!
ILLA PATRICE RODGERS
March 18, 2020
Thank you so much for being vigilant. According to my investigations these fraudsters will stop at nothing in their organized crime schemes. You have to be 5000 steps ahead of them because they operate on a grand scale.
Fauxanne
March 18, 2020
Thanks for having our backs.
Don't uskatie2…
March 19, 2020

In reply to by Fauxanne

Will people on disability an social security get a 1.000$ stimulates*shack to. I pray so I live month to month on 795$ an my rent is 425s of that an what's left goes to my power water GA$an ins .on my vehicle
FTC Staff
March 20, 2020

In reply to by Don't uskatie2…

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

RTManTX
March 18, 2020
Good to know...Thanks for the heads up!
Dennis
March 18, 2020
Where is the funding coming from? Social Security Trust Fund?
Morris
March 18, 2020
Thank you for having the foresight to post this important notice. The COVID-19 pandemic has become a burden for all of us; the more information/knowledge we have at our disposal, to lessen the stress, the better.
Poor Retiree
March 18, 2020
Thank you for that information!
Robbins
March 18, 2020

In reply to by Poor Retiree

Will social security recipients be eligible for the stimulace money
Nalatorre
March 18, 2020
Thank you so much for this warning! You are all very much appreciated for all you do to help protect us! You all take care of yourselves! Blessings to you all!
bacadu
March 18, 2020
I still haven't received my tax refund. Is this going to take place before they send what I've already paid for?
Luna
March 18, 2020
Thank you for your prompt communication. I am sure scammers are out there pouncing on our anxiety. Fake cures already abound. Don’t know how people can do this. Totally immoral .
Johnny Ray
March 18, 2020
Scammers must be drooling over this one. Smart of the FTC for getting out an early warning. Forewarned is forearmed!
Lila
March 18, 2020
I think this is going to be a prime way for the usual scam dogs to go after the elderly and convince them to give out socials and bank accounts. Please, please, somehow make a PSA on radio, etc. warning our vulnerable elderly citizens. I am in banking and I see how easily duped some of our customers are and it makes me so angry to know there are predators out there waiting to pounce. There might be a lot of confusion to citizens on this matter and I fear many will give out private info.
Willigirl
March 18, 2020
Thanks for the heads up and being ahead of the game. With so much going on right now, we all need reminders to stay alert for scams.
Jennysilly
March 18, 2020
Be aware that businesses are taking advantage as well they all have raised prices including Walmart.
Thankful
March 18, 2020
Thank you so much. Everyone needs the hope and security. Actions like these rebuild trust and dedication to our country. The communication is greatly appreciated.
Zakeity
March 19, 2020

In reply to by Thankful

It really should only go to those losing income, but I know that would be hard to manage. Hopefully if you get a check and still have your income, you will spend it at local businesses who are hurting.
maincut
March 18, 2020
Do u know if retired seniors will be receiving checks also ? Thank yo
Return to top