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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.

  • We won’t post off-topic comments, repeated identical comments, or comments that include sales pitches or promotions.
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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.

Sswoody
March 18, 2020
Good info! Thank you FTC!
Denise
March 18, 2020
Thanks ftc i received my payment from the western union lawsiut i want to say thanks u are very honest and trustworthy God bless you!!!!!
Don't use sola…
March 18, 2020
as a Vietnam Disabled Vet, can my check be direct deposited into my VA benefit account?
Em8810
March 18, 2020
What address will they be sent to if it does take place? Also how would one go about updating an address?
Edward
March 18, 2020
Who qualifies for this check? All U.S. citizens? All U.S. Adults & Minors? Taxpayers only?
FTC Staff
March 20, 2020

In reply to by Edward

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

lilcunrty
March 18, 2020
Hello if we receive disability will we get a check if it's approved in the amount of $1000?
hollywood5622
March 20, 2020

In reply to by lilcunrty

Can you get a check for $1000 if you recieve ssi disability and will i get a check if im 63 and take care.of my disable son
Ellen3
March 18, 2020
If I did not file an income tax last year how do I receive a check from the government?
Nicolina’s
March 18, 2020
I appreciate to get a check from our Government. This will help all Americans who make less than $50k.
Mike simth
March 18, 2020
Will people with disabilities Get check too
Andrew
March 18, 2020
Will people on Social Security get one? I get SS and had to use what money I had left this month to buy food and stuff over this. Idk how much longer that will last
TxBear69
March 19, 2020

In reply to by Andrew

Not sure calling ss right now n see if they know anything
Tigerpaw
March 18, 2020
Thanks for this -- does anyone know which address the government might send the check to, and how to update an address in this circumstance for those of us who have recently moved?
@davidakers355
March 20, 2020
Do people on disability also receive the stimulus checks?
FTC Staff
March 20, 2020

In reply to by @davidakers355

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

RhondaKay
March 18, 2020
Thanks so much for information! Good thinking ahead!
VHunter
March 18, 2020
What sources will be used to determine the number of adults/children reside in any given residence?
Randy912
March 18, 2020
Will retired seniors and people on SSI and SSDI get a stimulus relief check also?
Warner
March 18, 2020
I am currently on social security disability and quite confused about the stimulus payment bill being passed. Am I eligible for this payment as well? I have spent more money than I normally would due to the Coronavirus. I don’t know how I will get by for the next couple of weeks but my children have helped me as well.
Robsmoney777
March 18, 2020
How do I change my address so I receive my stimulus check?
Kbane
March 22, 2020

In reply to by Robsmoney777

Go online to IRS and make sure your address is correct with them is what my tax preparer told me
Rafael C.
March 18, 2020
Can you put these into a format that's easily shareable on social media? People read pictures more these days. Thank you!
Sknix
March 18, 2020
My husband and I are both on Social security. We are both over 65 yrs old. Will we get a stimulus check?
Believer1966dog
March 23, 2020

In reply to by Sknix

I’m on Social Security Disability and would like to know if I will still be receiving my disability check in April of this year? Thank you for your services for helping all who receive S.S.I. Disability and S.S.I payments . Ahahya Bless You abundantly for you serving others.
robertway71
March 20, 2020
Will people on Disability get checks from this stimulus?
lovelife22
March 23, 2020

In reply to by robertway71

I’m on disability for cancer on my lungs and Skull Cancer am I getting a stimulus check it’s very important for me please answer it’s very important I’m sick and I need that money
larryslady56
March 18, 2020
Will people receiving ssi receive the stimulus check. We can't hardly make it anyways
FTC Staff
March 23, 2020

In reply to by Julius Northcutt

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

Daisee 73
March 22, 2020

In reply to by larryslady56

I receive SS Disability I don't file income tax returns. I rely on food pantries which are quickly closing bc there is NO extra food for the pantries!!! I need food!!! Are we going to go hungry OR R we getting a stimulus check so we can EAT!!!!??? I have no one that can help me, the President and Congress needs to make a decision on this QUICKLY. OR there R going to be more problems than the virus... People STARVING!!!!! HELP us who worked all our lives and now don't get adequate anything!!!!!!!!!!!! We, raised the current population up and now we are being forgotten!!! Shame on the government Congress and the president!! We need help TOO!!!!
Tony G. D.C.
March 18, 2020
Wondering what happens if you've moved so much and the government doesn't have your address. Then what? I bet your going to say well there's direct deposit. Although, what if you dont have your banking info.
Holly D
March 22, 2020

In reply to by Tony G. D.C.

Tony Im wondering the same thing...my address has changed twice since I filed my 2018 taxes and the govt doesnt have my banking info for direct deposit I know its early, but how can we be sure the check comes to our CURRENT address?
Homeless
March 18, 2020
Now is this also for people that are homeless and lost their job or don't have one
Don
March 22, 2020

In reply to by Homeless

This will be interesting. Are the homeless people "Americans" still? This will point out if the homeless are included in being Americans. Are they being tortured by not being included when they obviously are in need of money?
Sdg
March 23, 2020

In reply to by Homeless

What if you and your spouse don't work trying to get disability because your to I'll to work
FTC Staff
March 23, 2020

In reply to by Sdg

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

joe39
March 18, 2020
Is there going to be a website set up to enter our info to receive the money I'm sure there not just going to send a check to every mailbox in America .
brainofbear
March 18, 2020
Jennifer Leach 2024 - "She gets us."
Dimatteo418
March 18, 2020
I'm on ssi I'm legally blind and I make under 6000 a year hopefully they give me a check he'll I make less than most of you they should direct deposit for every one on ssdi and ssi..hopefully
Livelove12
March 18, 2020
So if i owe the fed and State will they take my stimulas check
Plummkrazy
March 18, 2020
How will checks be sent out, from address on tax return? If someone is collecting Social Security, will those citizens who aren’t required to pay taxes, also receive a “check by mail?”
Christiane Hilden
March 18, 2020
That is such wonderful news. So thankful that the government is going to help. I have been out of work for two weeks now. I work in healthcare with the elderly. I ended up getting super sick and cant go back to work. It's better for the people I care for but very hard to make my ends meet.
Tonyh42
March 18, 2020
Can someone please help me? I have no clue what this is but ive been out of work for over a year. How do i know if I'll get this check or not? I've tried looking up so many things and i just cant find any answers. Do i need to have taxes filed to receive it or a bank account? Will my grnadmother who is on ssi recieve it? Please someone shed as much light as you can on this for me anything would help.
FTC Staff
March 20, 2020

In reply to by Tonyh42

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

S.tate
March 18, 2020
I would like to know does this include people of are on disability and social security??
Amar
March 18, 2020
Does anyone know if recipients of SSI will be receiving the $1,000.00 as well? Thank you
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