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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.
  • 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.

Misty
April 15, 2020

In reply to by Larry Terry

What did they say about the direct Express card and depositing stimukus sorry phone is broken and can only see pat of msgs curious bout this as well
What is a user name?
March 28, 2020

In reply to by katordog

I am on social security and that>s all I receive and do not file a tax return! Would i receive a check?
Jean defeo
March 18, 2021

In reply to by Alice G. Crouch

My daughter claim in 2019 but she did not claim to thousand and 20 I get SSI I’m 75 years old every time I go on the site it says that they can’t find my paperwork they give me a check am I going to get a check and have them I’m gonna get it will go into my checking account or will they mail it to me
Praise1%
April 01, 2020

In reply to by What is a user name?

Don't make enough on social security to pay taxes i am 79, will i get a check
Kochpamela03
April 09, 2020

In reply to by What is a user name?

I have been on disability for 3 years only income 56 years old ,am I intitled to any stimulus money?
Waiting1400
March 28, 2021

In reply to by What is a user name?

I received both of the previous stimulus payment but have not received the $1400 dollar payment. Can you tell me why? Every time I check on IRS.gov the message is need more information. I received a letter in the mail informing me that I received the second stimulus payment( so what information do they need?
gopher1955
March 26, 2020

In reply to by Don't use mnl4…

If you were on disability and then turned 65 will you receive a stimulus check
l12h3h4
March 26, 2020

In reply to by Don't use mnl4…

Am on social security disability. Will I receive a check
Gary hull
March 27, 2020

In reply to by Don't use mnl4…

I'm on SSDI I have been for twelve years do I get a stimulant check yes or no
diana Richardson
April 01, 2020

In reply to by Gary hull

I draw a disabity and a widow pension and received a disability check for my grandson I raise his check come to me he is 23 years old and we are never to file taxes so will we get a check
Rosco2448
April 19, 2020

In reply to by diana Richardson

Yes you will get $1200 check, but your grandson is not eligible due to claiming as dependant on your taxes.
eviesue
April 01, 2020

In reply to by Don't use mnl4…

will people on ssd receive a stimulus check
Don't use your…
April 01, 2020

In reply to by Don't use mnl4…

Hello and thank you for your watchdog tenacity RE:disabled seniors such as myself.I am on ssi and ss,and receive approx.$1050.00 per month.Do you have any idea if I will receive any $timulu$ $?Thank you again for your hard work!
Eura Thompson
May 16, 2020

In reply to by Don't use your…

I'm getting my ssi it started the end of 2019 so will I get a check. Because I haven't gotten anything and its almost the end of may
Angela Berry22
April 11, 2020

In reply to by Don't use mnl4…

I am a SSDI recepient and I get my money on a debit card every month will I get my stimulus check on my debit card
Zandria Bryant
April 15, 2020

In reply to by Don't use mnl4…

Will I receive a stimulant if on social security
quinndarius223
June 10, 2020

In reply to by Don't use mnl4…

My son gets disability and my daughter use to will they get a check I used them on my taxes?
Theresa Merritt
March 25, 2020

In reply to by Grace to you

Iam on SSI can I get a check from the Government I only have a savings account
Lifetime 10
March 26, 2020

In reply to by Grace to you

Will peoples get diablity social securtity checks get a 2020corivirus check too
Larry
April 06, 2020

In reply to by Lifetime 10

For the people that get disability checks received the 2020 Corolla check
Grace to you
March 26, 2020

In reply to by Grace to you

Why are seniors not getting a stimulus check . Why? I earned my SSI. ??? Please explain that to me.
SymtomlessShanesGirl
April 01, 2020

In reply to by Grace to you

Will the treasury put our stimulus money on our Direct Express cards?
BeeQueenDon't …
April 02, 2020

In reply to by SymtomlessShanesGirl

Yes..as what i have read it is called a bank account and but they are going to use the irs info. they have when they send money on your Direct Express card. So my Question is the bank account the same as Direct Express card...they have all your info to quickly put the money on your Direct Express card...so does the bank account the same as the Direct Express card???
kate
April 02, 2020

In reply to by SymtomlessShanesGirl

need to know the same about direct express card.
Kelly ann
May 16, 2020

In reply to by SymtomlessShanesGirl

Will stimulus checks going to a dir are stimulus checks will they go on on direct Express cards
STFU you don't…
April 03, 2020

In reply to by foxyfin14

SSI is not welfare lol it was created for disabled people that either did not have enough work credits at the time of the disability occurred or for those who were born with a disability.
Miki
April 09, 2020

In reply to by Grace to you

Seniors will receive their checks automatically through their direct deposit, the same way you receive your monthly retirement benefits.
joeeed from Sp…
April 15, 2020

In reply to by Grace to you

If you make under 70,000 a year you gonna get 1200 , anyone whom only lives on social security disability is definitely getting a stimulus, my amount might be off a little but if you live off of your disability then you definitely will get $1200 single $2400 married couples
Steamroller 4u2
March 26, 2020

In reply to by Grace to you

I've heard yes on Today show, but I'm not sure
Christos67g
March 26, 2020

In reply to by Grace to you

Of people on disability going to receive a stimulus check yes or no
Trent korman
April 13, 2020

In reply to by Strautman2020

Will it go into your direct express card That your usual payment direct deposits into?
Trent korman
April 13, 2020

In reply to by Strautman2020

Will it go into your direct express card That your usual payment direct deposits into?
Lady G
April 15, 2020

In reply to by Trent korman

Will the stimulus payment go on our direct express card ? Even if I filed state taxes ?
Reida Turner
April 28, 2020

In reply to by Trent korman

Just wanted to know when I get my Stemless check thank you
Dawn
May 04, 2020

In reply to by Trent korman

I live in Ga. I receive ssi and ssa and I have direct express have not filed taxes in over 15years have no dependents why haven't I gotten my stimulus and get my payment says not available as of today
Belinda
April 01, 2020

In reply to by Char84Mar

I was just wondering since I've been getting a check every month are we still going to continue to get our checks every month since social security officer close I'm worried because I need to pay rent and buy my groceries
SDori
April 04, 2020

In reply to by Char84Mar

Will I get a stimulus check even though I do not do any tax returns? My SS is under $11,000. Per yesr
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