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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.

Don't use your…
March 28, 2020

In reply to by troxler 58

Does my stimulus check go on my direct Express card issued by social security
Nancyamitchell…
April 18, 2020

In reply to by Don't use your…

When do I get my stimulus money on my direct deposit on my card I draw ssi so when will you receive it
Mooreviolet
April 21, 2020

In reply to by Don't use your…

When will people on disability receive the spend that check
waddell
March 25, 2020

In reply to by DTG HYHAND 3

Will I be able to receive a stimulas check if I am on SSI
Rushma
March 25, 2020

In reply to by waddell

My common law husband is on ssi. And i get 91.50. A month from welfare. Are going to get a check..im 60 years old. And all my funds are gone buying medicine. They charging us for lysol spray i pay 14.99 for the 12.05 ounces.and clorox and all kind of things to have to try to fight the virus.. Obama gave everybody a check.the ssi the welfare..everybody..thank you for listening to my needs....
Missybridgette
March 26, 2020

In reply to by Daveydawg

Im on Social Security Disability will I or anyone on SSDI recieve the $1,200. Thank you very much
Chiquitita
March 27, 2020

In reply to by Daveydawg

Because those on SSI are not required to pay taxes on the checks they receive.
Thuglifeb
March 25, 2020

In reply to by waddell

Will I be getting a stimulus check even though get disability
Hugh1116
April 16, 2020

In reply to by Babs 227

I’m on so and soc sec my boyfriend claimed me last year 2018 but this year I filed and so did he not claming me will I get a stimulus check
Loretta E. Murray
July 11, 2020

In reply to by Babs 227

How can I tell if I will get paycheck
Jamaica jackie
April 15, 2020

In reply to by Thuglifeb

if a person unemployed, not on public assistant and no bank account will they still be eligible for the stimulus check and if so how will the get it? Thank you.
Budweisser
March 26, 2020

In reply to by waddell

Does SSI get a stimulus check also and if not why that's not fair especially if homless
Don't use yo25…
March 25, 2020

In reply to by DTG HYHAND 3

I received social security and VA disability, will I receive from COVID -19 Stimulus . I am 68 and married.
John Kuhn
March 25, 2020

In reply to by Don't use yo25…

im on SSI and Vet bennies... how do i get this?
Mama2016
March 28, 2020

In reply to by Don't use yo25…

Dear Mr I'm 68 and married you should receive $2,400.00 ifim understanding correct. Single adult 1,200.00 married couples $2,400 family of 2 adults 2 children $3,400.00 each child after that $500.00 was my understanding of it. Hope this helps.
pharoah
March 27, 2020

In reply to by DTG HYHAND 3

I get social security and V A disability will I get a stimulus check
SFRGR2020
April 01, 2020

In reply to by DTG HYHAND 3

DTG HYHAND, I’m in the same boat as ya. I’m also curious, to see what if anything would we have to fill out or do to receive our stimulus checks.
Cromartie19@
April 01, 2020

In reply to by DTG HYHAND 3

Do people getting SSA and SSI have fill out a form stimu chech
Juanita. Crowder
May 07, 2020

In reply to by Cromartie19@

I am all SSI been on that 20 years almost 33 of it but I'm I'm living on the landlord paying $550 a month that's the only income I got coming in right now I'm also running back and forth to the doctors and stuff like that I have a primary care doctor but in the best of dad needs like clown been food enough personal needs and stuff like that I was just wanting to know when I get my stimulus check
cindi
April 01, 2020

In reply to by Barry

Hi Barry Have you gotten an answer to your question yet? Or did you find out some other way? I have the exact same question!
Oldman123
March 26, 2020

In reply to by Andree1

Will people on disability or Social Security who don't file taxes receive a check
red
April 21, 2020

In reply to by Oldman123

Don’t understand why I haven’t received stimulus checks yet. On social security if paper when are they coming
Charlie
March 22, 2020

In reply to by FTC Staff

I don't think there are any trusted news sources left these days.
granny steers
March 24, 2020

In reply to by FTC Staff

How about a list of supposedly "trusted news sources"
Born in The USA
March 24, 2020

In reply to by FTC Staff

There are no trusted news services anymore. Can You Point me the Way When You find One????
Johnny Turner
March 24, 2020

In reply to by FTC Staff

I'm a home owner that's married, I also have 2 of my grandchildren for the past year. I have my own lawn and tree service. But since the virus begin. I have been out of work completely. And all my bills are due. How am I to servive. And take care of my responsibility. With No income. When my monthly bills are$2400
Nfaurie
March 25, 2020

In reply to by FTC Staff

People on SSI have been effected by the pandemic to. Some have had to put off rent and gone without food to keep disinfectant's to stay safe.
Sgov
March 25, 2020

In reply to by Nfaurie

I agree!! We didn't ask for this viruses..and once again they leave to poor in the hole.. Thanks for being nice to the poor. God will protect us like he always had!!
Cathyw090
April 10, 2020

In reply to by Sgov

I am on SSD and SSI i only make 800.00 a month my landlord made me get out to pay my rent. I told her i have heart problems and lung disease. But told me i had to go and pay my rent. I would like to know do i qualifies me for the stimulus package. I could really use it my rent i had to pay 675.00 a month every month. So please can someone get back to me and let me know something. I would appreciate it. Thank you cathy Woodward
FTC Staff
April 10, 2020

In reply to by Cathyw090

Please go to irs.gov/coronavirus for updates and information about who is eligible for a payment.  The website says 

The IRS website says if you get Social Security retirement, disability (SSDI), or survivor benefits, it has your information and you will receive $1,200. 

sformentini23
April 01, 2020

In reply to by Nfaurie

I think it's awful if we dont recieve benefits as well. I'm also on ssi and I recieve 783.00 a month. Not gonna make it i will lose everything.
Citizens on SSDI
March 26, 2020

In reply to by FTC Staff

Hi, I’m on SSDI. Will I also get a government relief check from the effects on me from this virus?
Real_eyes_real…
April 03, 2020

In reply to by FTC Staff

Finding a “Trusted news source” is like saying Saying “tie your shoes with you hands behind your back”... that’s just not possible..
LAdams9221
April 21, 2020

In reply to by FTC Staff

I am in NY State. I am self-employed. I applied for NY State unemployment 5 weeks ago, knowing I would be denied. This is what I was told to do for the PUA process. Any word on when the PUA will be available for the self-employed?