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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.

Dgree0759
April 10, 2020

In reply to by Mary g

I receive/foodstampst / and 219.00 monthly/ will I receive any stimulus payment ?
light
March 20, 2020
im wondering the same thing if ppl on disability will recieve it also.
Smom2019
March 20, 2020
What about people who are divorced and have lower income from 2019 than 2018? They should use the 2019 returns to determine stimulus amounts.
KOZmommy
March 20, 2020
I read that if approved the amount we get will be based on our 2018 income tax return. My address was different last year so I'm worried my check would be mailed to the wrong address. What can I do?
Beaudog
March 20, 2020
I'm a little confused..If I made less than 10K in 2019 and did not file Tax Return due to the amount listed above, would I receive any stimulus check at all? Thank you
april and John…
March 20, 2020
I sincerely hope we are afforded the help, if there becomes away to ensure we are allowed the assistance it'd be greatly appreciated. God bless keep and protect all of you and I pray we a all get thru this swiftly and without being completely devastated.
Nnj1234567
March 20, 2020
What about us senior citizens or aren’t counted we buy food and pay rent and gas electric and the rest the rich get richer and the poor don’t count we should be this extra money also
NewMexico
March 20, 2020
Will child support intercept this stimulus? They just took my hole refund, so with these bad times I hope they at least let me have my stimulus and waive the interception.
Shelly MillerD…
March 20, 2020
People on social security and ssi that dont file taxes should get the momey also. We pay our share of taxes out of the little bit of money we get and you could just add it onto our federal checks. We have had hardships during this too and we are the ones that have the least income and could use the money the most!!!
Diana
March 20, 2020
Will people who receive , Social Security get checks From the Trillin dollar rescue.
Dleffall@
April 20, 2020
Will Americans that owe back taxes receive their stimulus check or will the IRS offset it .
Dovickijoreine…
March 20, 2020
Did not clarify if seniors on Medicare were going to be put on the list for checks ?
FTC Staff
March 23, 2020

In reply to by Dovickijoreine…

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

Knowledge
March 20, 2020
Do people on disability get a stimulus check also? For ( COVID-19 ) ?
Ryan
March 20, 2020
Where do I sign up for the Check for COVID 19 ?
Debfish
March 20, 2020
Will seniors on social security and not filing a tax return, receive a stimulus check?
Don't use your…
March 20, 2020
Every poor person should be entitled to this money. We are America too... no one except the filthy rich should be left behind. This has taken a toll on me and many others that get SSI.. or Durability.. I hope Trump don't leave us trying to figure out where we stand in this country.
USA - TEXAS
March 20, 2020
I am currently disabled. Will disabled people and disabled veterans, get checks too? If so, how do we make sure we get them? Thank y'all for the update. Michael - TEXAS
Tracy
March 20, 2020
Will my husband and I receive a check we’re both disabled
Buck
March 20, 2020
Will college students who work also get a stimulus check? And will parents with college age children get anything?
Jj716
March 20, 2020
Will homeless people get any money...
Cjfield
March 20, 2020
I was married filed joint in 2018 with joint bank account. We are legally separated since December 2018 and I filed separately from him on my 2019 as head of household. If they use last yrs taxes the funds will be sent to his home for me n the children . Will they check this to correctly send the money to the right account for 2019?
Jlohs99
March 20, 2020
I didn’t file in 2018 due to being on chemo the year before and not being able to work. Does that mean I won’t get a check?
FTC Staff
March 23, 2020

In reply to by Jlohs99

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

tremont34
March 20, 2020
Are ppl on SSI getting a stimulus check that's in the works right now. I was on SSI in 2018, not anymore but still low income.
DonPv81964ca.'…
March 20, 2020
I have a son who’s going to school in Utah is he’s first year but I couldn’t claim him in my taxes! How can he receive help!
Tito Fito
March 20, 2020
Will the carona virus check come to the same netspend debit as my ssi?
jeffb
March 20, 2020
I'm student and on disability and wondering will I receive the check because it will help in many ways
Maghee
March 20, 2020
Is the amount of the stimulus checks determined by gross or net income?
Diamonddrip97
March 20, 2020
I wanted to know is someone had information on how the money will be sent and to who? I'm getting affected by this badly and have a low income job under the table right now. Will I be supported?
maddi7669
March 20, 2020
If you don’t have an income will you get a check to help with bills? My family helps me with mine while waiting on SSI so it’s good to know.
minorsara91
April 03, 2020
Will people who receive snap benefits receive a supplement for the month of March and will the people who receive ssi and ssa benefits receive a stimulas payment also what about us that used to work but can no longer What about the poor ????
Jack
March 20, 2020
Thank you so much for the info!
Chell
March 20, 2020
Will people who are on SSI get a stimulus/government check also?
Patti
April 03, 2020

In reply to by Chell

I get 700 dollars a month for SSI...do I get the stimulus check of 1.200 dollars??
confused20yearold
March 20, 2020
i didnt do my taxes for 2018 and i did do them in 2019 so will i get a check or not
Pw1313
March 21, 2020
I get Social Security Disability and do not have to file a tax return. Does that mean I will not get a check? Why is the stimulus directly related to tax liability?
SANNLOPEZ
March 21, 2020
IT'S ABOUT TIME THE GOVERNMENT STEPS IT UP 2 HELP PEOPLE THAT TRULY NEED IT!! U SHOULD HAVE ALSO ISSUED A $500 FS!! THIS WAS A GREAT INCENTIVE TO ENSURE THAT PEOPLE STSY @ HOME W/EXTRA $!
cynthia808
March 21, 2020
Thank you so much for that information . It keeps us on our toes . Much mahalo
SparkyM
March 21, 2020
Will this be an actual tax rebate? Will those receiving it have to claim it as income and therefore pay taxes on it for 2020?
FTC Staff
March 23, 2020

In reply to by SparkyM

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

Army Vet JMG
March 21, 2020
will Disabled Veterans received a stimulus check too, in April? would like to know i have 3 teens and it would help...
Crystalmichell…
March 21, 2020
Will this money be taken for child support
Don't use your…
March 21, 2020
I honestly feel any stimulus plan they decide on should include ALL adult Americans. No matter whether they worked, were disabled or unemployed. A lot of people struggle to get jobs because they don't have the money for a good running vehicle and insurance to get them back and forth to work. Everyone should be treated equally.. I understand people who are wealthy already I guess but why should the poor be punished because they either can't work or have had hard times. I hope and pray Trump will make the right choice. After all elections are coming.
not-my-email
March 21, 2020
FTC thanks for your patience with the 100s of repeat questions.
Tumbleweed Tom
March 21, 2020
If you are homeless and don't have an address or bank account and didn't file a 2018 tax retun how can you get your stimulus relief check?
Gidget
March 21, 2020
I heard we have to pay this back
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