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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.

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.

twdodge
March 18, 2020
Kudos FTC from a retired Federal Employee. You folks are doing a great job. Thanks for looking out for our welfare during this difficult time!
Ramona
March 18, 2020
Will senior that are disable. Will I get a check
FTC Staff
March 20, 2020

In reply to by TxBear69

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

Laeva S.
March 18, 2020
I can't work due to my heart failure. Still waiting to be approved for social security disability. Will I get a check. Living off family.
Ethel
March 18, 2020
Thank you for looking out for our well being.
metudella25
March 18, 2020
So thoughtful &greatly appreciated.
Dawn
March 18, 2020
Wonderful and clear communication, as always! Your services in keeping us safe and “in the know” are clearly imperative in this very scary and unknown scam world. It is important to always check on our elderly too.
Zoya
March 18, 2020
Humanity wakes up. Hope is in the air.
tristan.mckenzie
March 18, 2020
Can't thank you enough for alerting us to the likelihood of scammers taking advantage of this much-needed benefit. Elderly people are at the greatest risk. We need to get the message out to them!
ger r
March 18, 2020
America is the GREATEST government.
Sophieguam
March 18, 2020
Nice to hear someone giving a message that is understandable, makes sense and gives the information without fanfare. Thank you. Great job.
Larry A Koch
March 18, 2020
Thank you for getting out in front of these potential issues. A public announcement by government officials to the same effect is warranted to get the word out.
Thompson.amand…
March 18, 2020
I hope and pray this is not just for people who have been tested, due to the fact that the city of dallas has not confirmed places for the health care workers to go too for testing. I am a certified nurse aid for the past 3months I have been sick had to go too the hospital numours times and was told it's a respiratory infection not knowing that there is a virus going around since November. I am a single mother working to try to pay bills but I haven't been feeling well still, so I hope there is no extra qualification needed for theses checks cause I am nervous and scared due to my future of my career and my family.
EnRoute
March 18, 2020
I am currently relocating, since I lost my job. How do I notify the government of my new address? Usually you notify the IRS by filing with a new address, but using that method would take too long and I don't even know if that's the database the treasury uses.
FTC Staff
March 20, 2020

In reply to by EnRoute

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

Joey718
March 18, 2020
Will people on ssi or welfare get a check to?
Concerned
March 18, 2020
Will EVERY American get it or only tax paying Americans? I am disabled and paid into Social Security for years before I filed for disability. I only receive 1100 a month. This money would help me and my children as well since we struggle every month.
billfarel9
April 03, 2020

In reply to by Concerned

Iam sure it will go to working people. I worked over 30 years before I got hurt. But I noticed that . That really doesn't matter. Doesn't look good for people with disabilities or social security. But u never know our government is great so they may help everyone.
In Dallas
March 21, 2020

In reply to by Concerned

I read that if you are on disability and have previously worked...you will receive a check through social security...however those that receive SSI... don't qualify... I too receive SSDI...which is in a different class.
Zafrina4328
April 03, 2020
Will it only go out to taxpayers or certain people ...I'm on food stamps had a rough year had to move three times with my 3 year old and we are barely surviving right now I did not file taxes because I had a job for 3 days last December... basically what I'm asking is will a person like me qualify?
Goldendust64
March 18, 2020
Thank You God Bless Us ALL JESUS ....
RJ
March 18, 2020
Thank you!
KCrabPA
March 18, 2020
I’m a 63 yr old disabled worker I don’t have a family nor kids Will a single person on disability receive this? I remember when Pres Bush left office we got a check for$35.00
FTC Staff
March 20, 2020

In reply to by KCrabPA

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

elgs
March 18, 2020
Thank you!! Any help is better then no help at all.
Shuffles727
March 18, 2020
Will Americans who are on SSI or SSD be included in stimulus. Exclusion of the class most effected by the virus would not be American and cruel.
Bigcurt31
March 18, 2020
Will people with SSI get a check
not working
March 18, 2020
Why don't the senior that don't work get any free money? I workers that are not working will get unployment and don't have to go to work, they get at less 75% or more to stay home.
lclemente
March 18, 2020
I am on ssdi since 2012 with young son and schools are closed. I am not required to file taxes because that income is so low. I depend of food banks and free lunches to feed me and my son. Every place is closed and all the markets are empty I can’t afford to keep paying for taxes to try to find food! Will I get a check as well as others
Jojo
March 20, 2020

In reply to by lclemente

We are on ssi but did not file income tax in 2018 due to low income will we receive a check?
FTC Staff
March 20, 2020

In reply to by Jojo

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

Wendy
March 18, 2020
Thank you so much for the information and for keeping on top of this. Great job!!
Frankie Quintero
March 18, 2020
I'm a stay at home dad. Will I receive a check?
chagan11
March 18, 2020
Thank you for some positive news for us, the consumers, in a time of immeasurable stress in our lives, at least for me not since I was young and we lived civil defense drills, bomb shelters, etc, etc. my QUESTION is will will the self employed workers as well as retired seniors/'boomers' also receive this money as we are also affected economically in many ways by this pandemic. Thank you again for keeping us informed.
Curious in ny
March 18, 2020
I've been a stay at home dad for a while, will I get a check as well?
Winston1949
March 18, 2020
What the low income and HUD housing.What is the government going to do about these people. And food stamps.
standersabasti…
March 18, 2020
Hi I was just wondering what information the government will be using if they do decide to send out these checks where to send the money to is it our addresses with the post office because I haven't filed taxes yet or last year I didn't have a job at the time and I don't have a bank account for them to direct deposit to or anything like that I think the only thing they can do is fine my address with the post office
Tzarita88
March 18, 2020
Thank you for doing a great job keeping us informed. Your information is vital to keep the scammers at bay.
Blondie
March 18, 2020
I am an SSI will I be receiving a stimulus check I was just wondering cuz I only get like $9,600 a year
Annamaria
March 20, 2020

In reply to by Blondie

I am on SSI and I receive $778 a month will I receive a stimulus check on April 6th of this year due to the Coronavirus?
FTC Staff
March 20, 2020

In reply to by Annamaria

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

Muslimgirl
March 24, 2020

In reply to by Blondie

I'm on SSI/disability I m unable to work,so I don't file taxes but I'm affected just as much as one who files taxes I have to pay rent, utilities,buy food gas clothing for myself and children .my children's school is closed by my. Children not in school my be children usually eat breakfast and lunch at school and I grocery shop for the month with that in mind,so now we need more food so why shouldn't I be able to get a stimulas check?
Wolfie 10
March 24, 2020

In reply to by Blondie

I am also on SSDI. I understand from the language in the proposal as of Monday (not passed yet), that I am eligible for stimulus check with 10k/yr SSDI benefits being counted as income. Is my understanding correct?