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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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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.

Imascuriousasu
March 18, 2020

In reply to by maincut

I was just wondering why this question is not answered, it's asked over and over , I came on here to ask the same question
FTC Staff
March 20, 2020

In reply to by Imascuriousasu

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 csanches
March 19, 2020

In reply to by maincut

Will retired seniors recive a 1000.00 check. We pay taxes
FTC Staff
March 23, 2020

In reply to by maincut

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

lomein
March 18, 2020
The Social Security scammers are back. I received a voicemail the other day advising me my Social Security number is linked to fraudulent activity. I knew right away this was a scam.
Don't use yWin…
March 18, 2020
Thank you for this information; it is comforting to know the federal government is caring enough to reach out. It is also very reassuring that help may be on the way for Americans.
Wanda L B
March 18, 2020
Thanks for the heads up,, truly appreciate it. Don't know about everyone else, but I for one am praying and praying for this mess. I will take precautions, but I can't live in fear,, it's all in God's hands.
Graduate 1991
March 18, 2020
Please keep up the Good Work on letting everyone know about the Information.
Peaches
March 18, 2020
Thank you so much for taking the time to give us information it is so helpful!
vvvvvvvvvvv
March 18, 2020
Thank you for reminding us that there are bad, mean people out there!!!!
Perry
March 18, 2020
Do dependants who filed a tax return also get the $1000 check from the government?
Artistbob
March 18, 2020
Thank you for the information. I had not even thought of this possibility. It is sad that folks have to scam folks. I appreciate all your team does to keep us citizens informed. Keep up the good work.
Carol
March 18, 2020
Thank you!
Chelley W.
March 18, 2020
I think this warning is wonderful, but it should be delivered on the news in multiple time slots so that it reaches the most people (especially those who don't have internet or don't read newspapers, etc.) If I didn't work for a school district whose IT department is responsible enough to pass the message on, I wouldn't know about this at all. Keep up the good effort!
Isaiah1@
March 18, 2020
It's so nice to see a message from the government .
Ramona
March 18, 2020
Excellent advice! I'll share it. Thanks!
Ranger
March 18, 2020

In reply to by Ramona

When will congress pass a Law that will make it a crime to impersonate a government agency and scam people out of their money?
Jeanniebeanie
March 18, 2020
Thank you for being ahead of the curve. They will be out there, the scammers, trying to screw who ever they can. Everyone be careful and don't believe anything someone tells you until you check it out yourselves!
Sunshine girl
March 18, 2020
Thanks for all the information it is good to know that our government is willing to help their people!
Dabforty1
March 18, 2020
Yes, very well said. Jennifer Leach was perfect in letting the general public know what's going on regarding this current issue. No "fat" just a good truth. A human being. Thanks for the update!
Smwth3bys
March 18, 2020
Will disable veterans get a check? Myself and my kids live with my father so I can care for him .. how will they give checks out? Will it be one per household?
concernedcitizen
March 18, 2020
I hope someone is taking into account the fact that if this money is to be considered income by social services, many poor American families will be in worse shape than they were before receiving it when they lose their Medicaid, SNAP, heating assistance etc. at a time when it’s needed the most. $1,000 extra dollars is most definitely enough to cause many people to lose their benefits.
RIcitizen
March 18, 2020
Will people who are homeless and / or never receive income get a $1000 check?
FTC Staff
March 23, 2020

In reply to by Slaterock

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

robertbrienmag…
March 24, 2020

In reply to by Slaterock

Will my mother who is 85 and living on ssi get a stimulus check
odessa
March 19, 2020

In reply to by RIcitizen

i hope so many people are homeless through no fault of their own some of them have families even small kids. THEY ARE PEOPLE TOO!
Don't frustrat…
March 18, 2020
Thank you for this information now we can rest asure
CG
March 18, 2020
Thank you for the updates.
iraqvet2009-2010
March 18, 2020
I work a seasonal job and live with my parents until I get me a career. Will I get a check?
Raincountry
March 18, 2020
I agree entirely with those who commented how nice it is to receive messages that are obviously written by an empathetic human being . I'll add that I really, really like the posts to this website which keep me up on the continually morphing scamming attacks. Keep it up.
Pmsa1
March 18, 2020
Will people on social security and disability receive the stimulus pay check to
Foxy
March 18, 2020

In reply to by Pmsa1

I sure hope we do I still pay taxes I just don't file a tax return
Poppa
March 18, 2020

In reply to by Pmsa1

Will people on disability get the stimulat check
Deborahjackson…
March 18, 2020

In reply to by Pmsa1

Will people on ssi and ssa gets the stimulus check??
FTC Staff
March 20, 2020

In reply to by Deborahjackson…

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

sarah
March 19, 2020

In reply to by Pmsa1

Already getting scam messages about this but no one mentions those in their 70’s and 80’s on Medicare
Miguelpuyad
March 20, 2020

In reply to by Pmsa1

Will retiree ppl rcvd the the goverment help? Thank you
FTC Staff
March 20, 2020

In reply to by Miguelpuyad

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

J.D OWENS
March 19, 2020

In reply to by Pmsa1

I'm on retirement disability will I get a check
OcieDuvall 1
March 19, 2020

In reply to by Pmsa1

Will people on SSI disability receive the check
FTC Staff
March 23, 2020

In reply to by Pmsa1

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

Kevin
March 18, 2020
Thanks for the heads-up!
HalleAnn
March 18, 2020
VERY nice personal email!
Kahndjsjks
March 18, 2020
What if we moved states how will they know
Katosherman
March 18, 2020
This is one of the few government sites that actually do what they were designed to do. The information is always timely and the subject's are consumer focused. I've used this site over a couple of administrations and I'm happy to say that the goals of the agency appear to have remained consistent. Keep up the good work.
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