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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.

DT
March 22, 2020
What happens if you filed your 2018 taxes in March 2020, but you and your family qualify for the stimulus? Please advise
Dhayes413y
March 22, 2020
Any up date on whether people on ssi,disability or vets get the 1000 check
Bsc1957
March 22, 2020
Will people thats on SSDI receive the stimulus check. My monthly check i draw now is low. We the older citizens on disability need it too. If we could work we would of been.
Ruiz23
March 22, 2020
My question is is everybody getting that stimulus check working or not working people on SSI welfare and other that's my question and it said April 6th does that mean they're all going to be issued out on April 6th and if so how soon will you get it
FTC Staff
March 23, 2020

In reply to by Ruiz23

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

Concerned citizen
March 22, 2020
How do they determine our current address
RK OF ND
March 22, 2020
How will the checks that are being discussed be dispersed to the American citizens? What will happen if someone moved and changed their physical address and no longer gets mail forwarded from the previous address? Will the government consider electronic depositing as they do for income tax returns?
linda1362
March 22, 2020
How will the government know where to send checks? My address has changed as I assume a lot of people’s address has changed. Thank you
Cleo
March 22, 2020
I would like to know if I'm going to get a check 25 years ago work for a drywall company in metal studs out of Sacramento California George Gibson construction out of Fair Oaks they'll still running the business two back surgeries working for him I've been on disability now 9 years I hope I get a check cuz I did pay my taxes and I was a good American I did a lot of government jobs prevailing wage for the Air Force bases out there any army bases my name is okay
wfparker72
March 22, 2020
If you've moved how will you get stimulus check?
Puggle mom
March 22, 2020
If you are currently filing for disability and haven't been employed in several years due to disability. Will you qualify for the stimulus checks?
John Doe
March 22, 2020
If you owe back child support, will we get a check?
Sebastian Gentris
March 22, 2020
I on disability do i get stimulus check to
Labsmom
March 22, 2020
my ex-husband and I divorced in 2019. I filed head of household with our children in 2019. If the stimulus goes off of 2018 returns, it would look as if we were a married family of four and he would be sent the money as he lives at the address we filed from in 2018. He pays no child support and I am residing with our children with no support barely scraping by. Do they have a way to see change of circumstances on 2019 returns to eliminate this problem.
Boomer
March 22, 2020
What is really sad is reading the comments to this article. This money, as I understand it’s purpose is to help those who have lost their jobs due to the lockdown. This is not a supplement to be given to people who were not working before, homeless, disabled, on social security. We are not expecting a check and wouldn’t take it if it is sent to us. This bailout will cost this country billions of dollars and should only go to those whose income has been directly affected by this emergency.
John Anderson
March 29, 2020

In reply to by Boomer

As Im on a fixed income. A Child Support Judge took it into consideration and decided that 20 dollars a month should be paid in back child support payments will this affect my status fot receiving the stimulus check.As I. bcreceive SSI andSSDI.
Lucy
April 07, 2020

In reply to by Boomer

I don't agree or disagree with Boomer. But, this one-time payment is intended as a stimulus payment, as it is titled. To boost the economy. How it is used is really not our concern. Many state unemployment agencies are upping the ante with those who have lost their jobs (and I'd be one). I know we may think we should have a voice in all this, but there are other more important things that we can actually affect than a one-time Federal payment. If it ever really happens!
lenas0176
April 09, 2020
Its unfair us disabilty ppl auffer month to month we also should get a stimulus we also have needs everything i read its all taxpayers ppl who file taxes
Queenie145
March 22, 2020
If you claimed someone on disability who is a adult do you get the $1000 for them
Sshotwell756
March 22, 2020
I read an article "somewhere" stating unless you file taxes you will not receive a stimulus check. Also if you filed via turbo tax etc it would be mailed and not direct deposited.
FTC Staff
March 24, 2020

In reply to by Sshotwell756

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

John
March 22, 2020
Will people on ssi Disability beginning a check also??
Will andrea mo…
March 31, 2020

In reply to by John

it my money i need it now stimulus check
carlosB
March 22, 2020
What if you can change address and live in a different state. how do they know where to send the checks , is there a web site to register?
Elderlywomanne…
March 22, 2020
Really big Question?? What about those who are elderly, haven't worked, do they get a stimulus package?? Why is it just for those who have filed?? What about the rest of America?? All people are Suffering....
spammed
March 22, 2020
You need to get all local news and major new agencies is this warning too. Way too many people fall for these scams time and time again.
Don't use joyc…
March 22, 2020
Do seniors on S. S GET A CHECK
Cottin
March 22, 2020
Will people that have not worked in the last 3 years .that have not got signed up on ssi get a check
Sydann55
March 22, 2020
People receiving ssd and ssdi will they receive a stimulus check if they have not filed a tax return?
Terrapin Survive
March 22, 2020
Please let us on SSI and Vets who make less than $24,000 and already are struggling to get by for essential expenses know if we are getting a stimulus check. If not,why? We are at great risk of survival on every level!
ShadeTree
March 22, 2020
I have a chronic illness because of this I had to be on ssi for a few years until I could get the surgeries that I needed to be able to work again. That caused me to get behind on child support payments, which when I file my taxes, my refund goes straight to paying off my past support payments, which I do not mind. I hope they take into consideration that if a person is behind in their child support payments or student loans, any money that comes back to us from the government gets taken by these 2 channels and never reaches the original taxpayers. In a time of crisis like this, when people would need that money to survive, I hope that someone takes that into consideration.
kenthemarine
March 22, 2020
Has anyone seen the Coronavirus stimulus bill and will people on ssdi and veterans on disability receive any money?
FTC Staff
March 24, 2020

In reply to by kenthemarine

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

Brandon4411
March 22, 2020
If we recieve a stimulus check, does it come with a 1099?
FTC Staff
March 23, 2020

In reply to by Brandon4411

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

ChicoAndee
March 29, 2020

In reply to by FTC Staff

Any updates on funds being applied to back due child support? I don't owe, but my husband does. Doesn't seem fair that my benefit goes to his debt (and someone that will take the money to spend on frivolous items, not the child).
Single dad
March 22, 2020
If you owe backtaxes, child support, or you are delinquent on a federal student loan are these stimulus payments available ? Owing support but am also a single dad as well that has been out of work since son has school closed with no income coming in.
Johnny James
March 26, 2020

In reply to by Single dad

If i get spousal support check will i get stimulus check
A dad too
March 27, 2020

In reply to by Single dad

Im conserned about child support interseption as well. Need it more than ever with no job.
Jdotton
April 09, 2020

In reply to by Single dad

If I owe back child support and irs does this mean they will take my Stimulus check?
Pyrepyxie
March 27, 2020

In reply to by Single dad

I am interested in the answer to this as well. I bet they will freaking take it. Like we don't deserve relief.
Christopher Morgan
March 28, 2020

In reply to by Single dad

I owe childsupport will I get the check or will child support get it
EDH
March 28, 2020

In reply to by Single dad

I'm on dissability. I'm currently paying back child support thru my dissability check . I'm living below the poverty level . have been for over ten years. Am I eligible for a stimulus check because of the virus ?
Bishop
March 28, 2020

In reply to by Single dad

No, they will keep it and appt it to what you owe. I guess u do get it. But it's like when the IRS takes you're tax refund if u owe support.
S
March 28, 2020

In reply to by Single dad

I owe back child support also. But I’m currently paying support but pay 20$ extra every 2 weeks for the back support. Will I get the 2020 stimulus check or no?
Shirley
March 28, 2020

In reply to by Single dad

I owe back child support also. But I’m currently paying support but pay 20$ extra every 2 weeks for the back support. Will I get the 2020 stimulus check or no?
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