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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.

Bsizemore
April 14, 2020

In reply to by Kia18101

I'm hearing yes it will go on direct express but so far only people with netspend and chime have gotten them I myself have a global cash card and I would also like to know why there not saying when or if grrrrr
FlyingEagle
April 08, 2020

In reply to by Gina

I have the same question, my Social Security Disibility is deposited on "Direct Express" debit card each month, will the $1200.00 Stimulus check be deposited on my debit card I have from Social Security ?
Pati
April 13, 2020

In reply to by FlyingEagle

Same comments as Flying Eagle since our checks are put on our directexpress,,will my grandchildren checks from their deceased parent also get a check on my direct express?
Colleen Bowen
April 22, 2020

In reply to by FlyingEagle

I want to know why I haven't received a stimulus check and I'm on disability I want to know what information do I need please help me if you can be don't have anyone to help me
cindy malcolm
April 09, 2020

In reply to by Gina

I am also wondering, will the stimulus package be directly deposited into my Direct express card? This is where my SSI CHECK is deposited.
Pati
April 13, 2020

In reply to by cindy malcolm

This is a excellent question that's seems not to have any answers.i also have 3 young children that get deceased parent support. Do the receive a check also?
Jamaica jackie
April 15, 2020

In reply to by cindy malcolm

When and where do i get the answer/respond to my questions?
FTC Staff
April 16, 2020

In reply to by Jamaica jackie

On April 15, the Social Security Administration updated its website to say people who get Social Security retirement, survivors, or disability beneficiaries and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients, and who do not have qualifying children under age 17 do not need to take any action with the IRS. You will automatically receive your $1,200 economic impact payment directly from the IRS. You should receive the automatic payments by direct deposit, Direct Express debit card, or by paper check, just as you would normally receive your Social Security benefits.

Lon
April 27, 2020

In reply to by cindy malcolm

Yes you will receive your Stimulius Check on your Direct Express Account if that is how you receive your SSDI Benefits.
Lon
April 27, 2020

In reply to by cindy malcolm

Yes you will receive your Stimulius Check on your Direct Express Account if that is how you receive your SSDI Benefits. As long as you received your SSDI before January 2020. For the newly SSDI recipients you must update the IRS, letting them know your account information since the IRS has not received a SSA 1099 form from the Social Security Office letting them the IRS know how you receive your payments and also that you are now on SSDI.
Grace to you
March 24, 2020

In reply to by DTG HYHAND 3

Are people living on social security going to receive a check from the government..
Don't use your…
March 25, 2020

In reply to by Grace to you

I read somewhere people on soc sdc WILL VET A CHECK
Coralie
March 25, 2020

In reply to by Grace to you

Retired teachers here. Exist now that pension is gone I live solely on SS checks. I’ve been told not to bother to file taxes. How will govt find me for stimulus check? Thanks
Juice4Rugby
April 11, 2020

In reply to by Coralie

No worries! Your economic impact payment will go directly to wherever your disability money goes.Hopefully by Monday or Tuesday
Tre
April 12, 2020

In reply to by Coralie

Yes you will receive a check if you are not required to file a tax return please go to www.irs.gov and click on the link that states non filer enter your payment here you will have to create an account from there you will provide your routing number account number name ss# driver's license or state id
mommyof9
April 16, 2020

In reply to by Tre

I tryed that and it keeps saying go back our rejected and to fix its not easy
Pammie65
May 01, 2020

In reply to by Tre

I have tried to use a username and my email always get verified but it keep having me start all over again been trying for a month,very frustrated
gphipps
April 17, 2020

In reply to by Coralie

In reply to your question, please read what the staff member printed, yes if you draw SS, you WILL GET A STIMILUS CHECK. And yes it will come in the SAME MANNER THAT YOUR MONTHLY SS CHECKS COME, direct deposit or by MAIL,
Don't use mnl4…
March 25, 2020

In reply to by Grace to you

I'm on social security disability. Will I receive a check?
katordog
March 26, 2020

In reply to by Don't use mnl4…

Are people on SSDI going to receive a check?
Mikbry11
March 26, 2020

In reply to by katordog

I am on SSDI and I get my money through Direct Express will my stimulus check be posted to my direct express account
Don't use yomo…
March 30, 2020

In reply to by Mikbry11

Can my rebate check from the corona be deposited onto my direct express account
Docd6248
March 31, 2020

In reply to by Mikbry11

Since I receive my SSDI payments on my direct express card will my stimulus check be deposited onto my direct express card as well?
Val Speece
April 10, 2020

In reply to by Docd6248

I’m on ssi do I have to file an income tax return
Loretta Jenkins
March 31, 2020

In reply to by Mikbry11

My SSI close on my Direct Express Card will they put the stimulus money on the Direct Express Card
Willywonka222
April 01, 2020

In reply to by Mikbry11

Will my stimulus check go on my direct express card if im on ssdi
James
March 26, 2020

In reply to by katordog

When I finally got my SSDI I only received 569 dollar's a month and I received 1.1000 a month on unemployment why is that also started raising my great neice about a year later and still receive the same amount I didn't have a lawyer and feel like I got screwed can a lawyer help me get more and will I receive a stimulus check
mail address
March 28, 2020

In reply to by katordog

Ok , I m on Ssdi for long time so I need to know will I receive same amount or more durning virus or what ??
Brainfreeze30
April 01, 2020

In reply to by mail address

From what I read about that it says you will get the stimulus the same way you recieve your benefits so I believe we are getting it direct deposited on our direct express cards.
Don't well wus…
April 03, 2020

In reply to by Brainfreeze30

Well i believe they should have done handed out these checks some people bnsed em now especially the ones who have lost family msmbsrs or friends due to this virus make irs work around the clock to get that money to people hell it wont hurt em these people are dying for no reason you think they have time to wait im sure they can figure out a way to get everyone there money faster there running this country. Come on
Esqdel
April 09, 2020

In reply to by Don't well wus…

I get Ssi well I get stimulus check in my Direct Express Card
Confusion
April 11, 2020

In reply to by Esqdel

Will ssi payments for stimulus go on direct express card I need to know now
Andiescandies
April 26, 2020

In reply to by Confusion

Yes that's what they're been saying for 2 mos. They will pay u ur stimulus same way they pay our SSI or in my case ssdi
Confusion
April 11, 2020

In reply to by Esqdel

Will ssi payments for stimulus go on direct express card I need to know now
Tre
April 12, 2020

In reply to by Esqdel

If you are not required to file a tax return please go to irs.gov click on non filers enter payment info and follow the steps
DonAnnie Hardi…
April 03, 2020

In reply to by Brainfreeze30

I hope so we deserve a check if I don't get one I'm protesting
Curious K
April 05, 2020

In reply to by Brainfreeze30

Hi, Brainfreeze30. You interpreted it being direct deposited to our Direct Express Card just as I did. We just need , to see it worded SPECIFICALLY, that it WILL be on the CARD.
WARolanD
April 07, 2020

In reply to by Brainfreeze30

Is this for sure? We will recieve the stimulus money on direct Express card THAT BENEFITS go to?
Kochpamela03
April 09, 2020

In reply to by WARolanD

Will some or all recieve monies , I did a huge shopping for my daughter and made sure my baby and grandson did not go without I'm into her for 400 dollars, she is blind and cant get out and dont want her to ,am I intitled to any stimulus monies .
Don't use your…
April 09, 2020

In reply to by WARolanD

Seems we are the one group who's on just SSI getting no clue or answer about direct Express cards getting the stimulas check on it. I've got direct Express and monthly ssi gets put in 1st of each month so on one hand they make it like we get it same as always do but bring in direct Express and nobodys got answer? At least answer and let us know your not being shady as it appears .you make us use that direct ex. Card unless u have a bank the it goes.on that if it done each month. You are the ones who contracted the direct ex. So come on your people want to hear that your not just ignoring our questions. You forgot the direct ex. Cards you say we need for ssi benifits bug yet your avoiding .seems your shady and passing it to us as irs deal? Come on irs isny responsable for it. The ssi teams who run this are suppose know what is up with things like that's direct card. Gawd pathetic
Brenda Wilcox
April 13, 2020

In reply to by WARolanD

will they put the stimulus money on dirdiect express cards
TrikdgirlDon't…
April 20, 2020

In reply to by WARolanD

Dont worry they will go directly onto your card no action required
Larry Terry
April 08, 2020

In reply to by Brainfreeze30

Finally an answer, I'll be checking my direct express card after April 15th
Stephanie
April 10, 2020

In reply to by Larry Terry

Where did you see this info I've been stressing about the same question and can't find answers
Stephanie G
April 10, 2020

In reply to by Larry Terry

I have been looking for that info how did you find it please help I'm so worried about how I'll get my check because I use direct express card also
Ashleya
April 11, 2020

In reply to by Larry Terry

Who said after the 15th? There’s so many comments lol