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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.

Marcy Laster
March 18, 2020
Will this include retirees?
Jazmine
March 18, 2020
This is wonderful and I hope it does happen, because it would help a ton.
Yvonne
March 18, 2020
What about college students who started working this year and did not file taxes last year. Will they also get a check with much needed help.
Pattyp
March 18, 2020
Will the disabled people get a stimulus check and also will the people on social security receive one?
Don't use your…
March 21, 2020

In reply to by Pattyp

What I'm reading no we wont get anything for corona19 stimulus package, it's for tax filers only I believe and they get a check cause they worked unlike us on Social security, who would probably spend it on the economy like it suppose to be and not put in a savings account
dawnangel
March 18, 2020
but do we have to pay this money back to the government ???
Lordsith_Don't…
March 18, 2020
How will people who currently don’t have a home get a check, I don’t have any of my identification just my birth certificate ?? I know my social number but I don’t have an address?
Judith Allister
March 18, 2020
My daughter and I have really struggled been eating out dated food no money. Older Daughter. and son in law made us soup we rationed it. Daúghter was to stàrt new job possible now has to wait 3 weeks really struggleing.
Rameses2
March 18, 2020
Thank you for always being there with guiding advice we can trust!!! Many forget to say than you although they mean it in their heart at the moment, so thank you from all us who may forget to say it!!!!!!
1Summertime!
March 18, 2020
Iam Receiving social security disability. After paying for medical out of my check I then receive $950. Per month.
sonny 19
March 22, 2020

In reply to by 1Summertime!

A 79 yrs old. receive social security but do not need to file a tax return every year. do i still qualify ?
govero
March 18, 2020
I was in a car accident June of 2019 and I'm waiting on disability...do I qualified for these payout?
lee
March 18, 2020
Do we have to pay the money back and what about people on fix incomes?
FTC Staff
March 20, 2020

In reply to by lee

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

Debbie
March 18, 2020
Will people on Medicare and Disability receive this stimulus?
Tyreke
March 18, 2020
Is the government sending checks to all adult tax payers or just U.S. citizens?
Girlie08
March 22, 2020

In reply to by Tyreke

Are they sending out checks or place it on your debit card and if not what address,cause some people haven't changed they address
Kevin't use yo…
March 18, 2020
Can sombody tell me if the pepople on disibility will be getting the money as well or is it just for working pepople im asking for my mom thanks...
B210
March 18, 2020
My question is how do we sign up/enroll in order to get funding? I have been looking online.
Johnny
April 03, 2020

In reply to by B210

I believe I been on SSI it on pendin on 2017my accident my both of my arms and I am still waiting, I am still disabled.can I get money for myself and kids my son was on SSI on, disability and disabled,on 2018 or 2019 the mom has them.I pray the cover 19 go back to normal.for all are loved ones and family and kids.
Schlegel
March 18, 2020
Will one who gets disability get a check?
Don't romorick…
March 22, 2020

In reply to by Schlegel

will people like me get a stemmiless,check also, only income is ssd.839,00$ month,got morage, bill, doctor, bill only cash or income I get from ssd,leaves,me in a negative balance, nothing, new,for sure, just like to no ,if I cant pay people to help me as of now.t you ,god bless America , blessing the world also,
deadite1980
March 20, 2020
Will people living on social security or disability get a check too?
FTC Staff
March 20, 2020

In reply to by deadite1980

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

Debbie
March 21, 2020

In reply to by FTC Staff

It sure would be helpful for seniors on Social Security and Medicare to receive a Stimulus check too, as we have to buy extra supplies. I worked all my life and paid taxes and I just think everyone should be helped...God Bless everyone and be safe.
Bjh1066
March 18, 2020
How will the government know where to send the money? My son nor myself haven't filed our taxes yet and we are staying in a motel right now due to domestic violence.
E357magnum
March 18, 2020
I am seeing the phrase taxpayer used a lot. Im waiting on an application for SSD. Some seniors and disabled without incomes will need help also. Please dont let us fall through the cracks.
Greer2.0
March 18, 2020
How will the government decide and figure out who/where to send each check
Misty Gill
March 18, 2020
How does one update thier info to receive timely information concerning this stimulus
Don't ubigboys…
March 18, 2020
Will this money we get from the government going to infak the ones that pay children's services.
kaybe985
March 18, 2020
What about us on ssi and disability will we receive relief I am disabled with two young children and just hospitalized with suspected virus 800 dollars is already hard to live on and has become harder now everything I have read said only people who filed taxes will get these “checks”
CRISTUCK
March 18, 2020
If we do get checks sent out.. will the money get sent the same way that tax refunds got sent? Like directly deposited to a net spend card like mine did because of liberty tax? How will I know what address they associate me with?
Jess
March 28, 2020

In reply to by CRISTUCK

Right I have the same question we got the netspend card for our taxes ..I really hope it just goes thru no issues instead if waiting on the mail
Shoporsell1
March 18, 2020
If the checks. or direct deposit is made, what if your bank account has changed or closed since last year, how will the government know where the deposit should go
tcb108lady
March 18, 2020
Thx for the update and forewarning to all of us! so very nice for a professional friendly tone of empathy and concern for us - the American public - many of us are now not working...cannot collect unemployment as 1099 workers, yet our bills continue - petrified we can't even afford the basics of gas, food, shelter, RXs, let alone other overhead. The SOONER this relief comes the better. Thanks again for the update & warning about scammers
Dee
March 18, 2020
Will the money go to those on Disability? Most are barely making it from month to month. If a disabled person tests positive and has to be on home quarantine getting food/supplies will be difficult and/or costly.
FTC Staff
March 23, 2020

In reply to by Dee

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

MamaD79
March 18, 2020
Thank you for this heartfelt HUMAN message reaching out to us!! GREAT JOB FTC!!!
The Old Codger
March 18, 2020
THANKS for the prudent cautions folks. It's always the crooked creeps that see "opportunities" in desperate times.
Traci H
March 18, 2020
Im looking at this. And thinking that this would make a great app from this federal place that it would be easier for some if this was an app. We could open app and make complaints and keep up on important news on life changing events like the coronavirus easier. Just an idea...
Marcus
March 18, 2020
How so we apply to get the check
D. RICHARDSON
March 18, 2020
It would be s blessing.
Zippygirdlehead
March 18, 2020
Thank you for the information that you send me, and for the brochures you have available. I ordered a number of them and made sure the seniors in my Church we given to her.
LeeLee
March 18, 2020
Is anybody officially answering questions here? Like -- will seniors who receive social security and do not file tax returns still get the government payouts (of $1000 or whatever they end up being)?
FTC Staff
March 20, 2020

In reply to by LeeLee

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

Elizabeth
March 18, 2020
Help. Please advise how to apply for this government aid?
Concerned family
March 18, 2020
Will families who's sole income is SSI receive the stimulus check ? What about people who haven't been able to do their taxes? What about poor people?
Scott
March 18, 2020
Disability and SSI get a check?
Singlemom
March 18, 2020
How will it be determined on who gets checks? I'm a single mom who is affected by these shut downs but didn't work last year due to a injury, so I didn't file taxes for 2019. Does this my children and I will be over looked and continue to suffer and not be able to pay bills?