Skip to main content
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.

Topics
Shopping and Donating
Health
Jobs and Making Money
Unwanted Calls, Emails, and Texts

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.

Dennis
March 21, 2020

In reply to by Karen12

Will us people getting SSI retirement checks get the stimulus check of 1000 $ ?
BeSmart
March 19, 2020
So the government won’t ask me to buy an i-tunes gift card and give them the number over the phone to receive a check?
Pumpkin
March 19, 2020
Will people with disabilities receive a stimulus check.
FTC Staff
March 20, 2020

In reply to by Pumpkin

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

Donald l pinson
March 21, 2020

In reply to by Pumpkin

Will I get a check from the government from the Coronavirus
ExSlyder
March 19, 2020
Will people on SSI/SSDI who don’t make enough money to file yearly taxes be getting checks as well?
NTILLY
March 19, 2020
I made decent money last year but I have not worked the last four months. How can I let the government know I need assistance?
ExSlyder
March 19, 2020
Are the checks going to be $1000 per household or per person? I’ve been on disability since 2008 and have 2 children living at home as well as my spouse. Our rent for the 2-BR apartment is $1050/mo. With my kids out of school and not getting free breakfast and lunches my SSDI goes that much less to cover my monthly expenses.
Diana C. Watton
March 19, 2020
Will l, a retired senior citizen of 82 years of age receive a check for $1,000?
steveh4634
March 19, 2020
Thanks so much for being ahead of the curve and keeping us seniors informed. I have bookmarked this site for information.
sally
March 19, 2020
Are we talking our social security checks? It would seem to me that continued direct payments to our bank accounts would be safer.
Deborah
March 19, 2020
My husband and I are both on social security and disability and don't file a tax return - are we elible for the $1,000 check? And if so - how will it be distributed to us.
Boomer
March 19, 2020
Great advice. Thank you. Unfortunately the scammers don’t ever take a vacation and are a threat during bad times and good times.
ltocco57
March 19, 2020
does this include people on social security and disabilty we have worked most of our lives so we should be included not ssi where people never worked
FTC Staff
March 20, 2020

In reply to by ltocco57

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

Sam123456
March 19, 2020
What if it's been a few years since I filed taxes?
Johnny Hernandez
April 03, 2020

In reply to by Sam123456

It's been as I work seen 2016 now I am not working because I am still disabled my both of my arms going to my therapy seen 2017 I applied for my incoming taxes. it's really hard to support my family and kids my self will out work . my both of my arms.
Jocelyn Irons
March 19, 2020
Its great your putting this info out, thats understanding.... I'm on SSD this last year & i go to food banks also to get by, are we going to get a check to help me out too?
Don't use your…
March 19, 2020
Will ppl on ssdi recieve checks also
Lorimae1975
March 19, 2020
I get ssi will receive a stimulus payment. Thank you
heartfelt mess…
March 19, 2020
It really is different hearing this is so heartfelt and written in a way that you feel valued as a hard working american and makes you feel like they really do care what we are all trying our best to avoid. and i hope everyone stays safe and healthy and please remember this too shall pass.
krista
March 19, 2020
thank you so much. timely updates make getting thru each day easier.
Concerned Mom
March 19, 2020
Is ssi and ssa people getting this also? It’s only fair. I have kids and no way to stock up without it.
sunshine
March 19, 2020
will those on SSDI who dont file taxes be eligible for this money?
Labbielori611
March 19, 2020
Does people on ss or ssi get one of them checks
Tweetybird
March 19, 2020
Are these checks per household or are they individual checks? There are 2 of us working in our house so would we get 1 check each or only 1 check period?
FTC Staff
March 23, 2020

In reply to by Tweetybird

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

Sunshine
March 19, 2020
I've been separated from my husband 8+months now and I take care of our daughter. I hope he doesnt get it all because he will not say.
Johnny Hernandez
April 03, 2020

In reply to by Sunshine

Hey been talking care of my kids seen 2018 and 2019 because they live with there mom we ? Both take care of are kids, but different different address but I had them first in living with me at my mom's house not hers house days move out in 2019 in June last year but I still take care of them and see them.no mader what we're not together.
Phoneviking4
March 19, 2020
How do I apply
hubcap
April 15, 2020

In reply to by Phoneviking4

If I have been in prison for six years and I got released February 6, 2020 do I get a stimulus check
Michael knight
May 17, 2020

In reply to by hubcap

If I was in a drug place in 2018 and 2019 will I get the stimulus check
ojc1980
May 28, 2020

In reply to by hubcap

I have a question did you get your stimulus check I saw that you had just got out of prison in February. Were you eligible for 1?
Eveyonelove
March 19, 2020
I have 2 grandchildren and Disabled . Will I receive a check from stimulus payment. Both grandchildren born with problems . I have custody
Wanda
March 21, 2020

In reply to by Eveyonelove

Yes im in the same boat. I have custody of my grandchildren since january of 2020 so will i get the $ for the kids or will the mother?
icegirl
March 19, 2020
Thank you, Jennifer, for this information! These are trying times and terrible people capitalize on the vulnerable:(
TxBear69
March 19, 2020
If ur on Social Security will u get a 1000 check?
TimFarr
May 12, 2020

In reply to by Tamialove

I'm on SSI just got it this year the reason why I didn't file taxes for 2018&2019 wasn't able to work will I have to do anything qualifie get a check
Issa555
March 19, 2020
Who exactly is getting the check's - who is it - how do we know who ~ ~"who" in America is getting the check's ? what are the qualifications to get the check's, how does anybody know our address, give us the details......
FTC Staff
March 20, 2020

In reply to by Issa555

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

ME
March 19, 2020
I have always felt that the FTC is the best run agency in the federal government and the topic of this reminder validates my position. It is always great to see them go after a problem, but it is even better when they anticipate what is going to happen. My compliments to the Jennifer Leach and the entire agency.
Miss T
March 19, 2020
Loved seeing the federal government pro-active in these times. Thanks for the information, keep up the good work!! It is a scary time for many people out there, both medically and financially. We need to inform our loved ones, neighbors, and friends now about this information and website. Communication is key.
Pjinrochester
March 19, 2020
How can I be sure my son is on the check list? He is chronically unemployed and not in the unemployment system.. he is a registered voter.. can I make sure he's on this list??
thank you
March 19, 2020
Thank you for this. And I agree with the comments, it s great to get a heartfelt letter. Thank you for the work all of you do.
Don't use your…
March 19, 2020
I get played cash for working and will I get a check
MMS
March 19, 2020
Due to unexpected divorce , I've had to move in with my mother for a bit. Are the stimulus checks going to be based on taxpayer information or by physical address?
Wizzywow
March 19, 2020
I wonder if the poor will receive a stimulus check? Those who have had little income (or no income) in recent years, who were not required to file a Federal income tax return? Will the checks be sent to "all" adult Americans with a Social Security number? Or, will the stimulus checks only be paid to "taxpayers" (people who have actually paid income tax in recent years)?
Return to top