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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.

Lynn
March 25, 2020
I am a grandparent raising my two grandchildren with legal custody since 2014. I also receive social security retirement. Are my grandchildren and eligible for the 2020 stimulus check?
Linda
March 26, 2020

In reply to by Lynn

I have the same question. I am also a grandparent raising 2 grandchildren with legal custody since 2016 and receive social security retirement. Am I and my grandchildren eligible for the 2020 stimulus check ? Thank you
Binky
March 25, 2020
I worked and receive SSDI will we and the elderly get a stimulus check?
Clarity
March 25, 2020
I think most of you are missing the point of the stimulus package. This is not to help every person in the country who is in need. Most of what you all have described are needs that existed prior to COVID-19. This package is to assist people who have lost their jobs or income due to the crisis. You (we, because I am one of you, I receive SSDI) already receive govt assistance for loss of income due to disability or age. Thus package isn’t supposed to be helping everyone who is poor right now. It’s meant to try to make up for all the lost wages people are experiencing. That doesn’t include us, so, no, we won’t be included.
JVargad46
March 25, 2020
Do Vietnam Vets get Stimulus check
happytails56
April 03, 2020
My husband and I are on disability, are we going to get a check?
Casey J
March 25, 2020
How do we ensure the check is going to the correct address? Where can we check and update this info if needed.
sweetajjt
March 29, 2020

In reply to by Casey J

How nowhere send check if child is residing else where and not been claimed on taxes so how will I get his money
Bigdog
March 25, 2020
Think you. Are government. Let us the people no. What not to. Thank got looking out for us
Ari
March 25, 2020
I am on SSD, will I receive the stimulus package.
mic
March 26, 2020

In reply to by Ari

IF YOU GOT A SS form 1099 your benefit summary at the end of the year THEN YOU ARE ELIGIBLE FOR A CORO19 BENEFIT CHECK OF UP TO 1200...new york times 1 hour after the bill was passed
My
March 25, 2020
Please just tell the people if ssdi or ssi going to get extra money thank you
Frugaltoafault
March 26, 2020

In reply to by My

Will any person who receives SS, SSD, SSI, get anything from this government package?
Stayin
March 26, 2020

In reply to by Frugaltoafault

The quicker we are able to get extra supplies the quicker more of us stay inside
Thordog
March 28, 2020

In reply to by My

I sure hope we do. It will help me a lot,, I need my car fixed and with disability I don't make much at all. I can't even save money. It's hard. I wish I was working.
Dkayat123
March 25, 2020
If i am on social security do i still need to file taxes so i can the money
Kathy
March 26, 2020

In reply to by Dkayat123

Like to know the same question answered. On Soc Security and pension. Didn’t have to file taxes last year and probably not this year. Will I get a check. If so how.
Bull city
March 25, 2020
Will people on ssi get a check
Chistothepher
March 25, 2020

In reply to by Bull city

From what I've been reading YES, people on SSI will receive a check but most likey direct deposit, so we should get it sooner than most.
Awkward._.Autistic
March 26, 2020

In reply to by Bull city

There's a proposed plan to add 200 dollars a month to social security payments for a year...of course that's not been approved yet...so who knows. I really doubt we the disabled and poor get any extra money.
Southerngirl990
March 27, 2020

In reply to by Bull city

From everything I’ve read and it’s a lot, SSI want get stimulus chks. Which is not fair, but it may just be speculation on the media’s view. Hope it’s not true, the ones with low or no income need it more than ever!!!
shsw
March 25, 2020
Will people who don't make enough to file taxes get a check and if so how much
Matthew
March 25, 2020

In reply to by shsw

Hey I'm homelesss and I live on skidrow! I have panhandled for years for a source of income. Do you think I will be able to get some of that grip?!
The sad truth …
March 26, 2020

In reply to by shsw

No theres no money in helping people soo poor they cant file taxes. It's a political issue. Although homless earn untaxed income from odd under the table jobs/pan handeling. Homeless people will receive their emergency relief from the generous general public whos willing to throw a bone their way. The government doesnt care. Thats the sad truth from the Senate. If you homeless n trying to make it thorough this recession. Go set up a tent along the river.
Geo
March 25, 2020
Will the people on food stamps get a check from the government
D.B.
March 25, 2020
I AM DIVORCED WE HAVE A CHILD THAT I PAY CHILD SUPPORT EVERY CHECK ITS AUTOMATIC MY QUESTION IS THIS I WILL SUPPEBLY GET A CHECK FOR 1200 BUT WILL I GET A CHECK FOR MY CHILD THE 500 OR WILL I GET NOTHING AND MY X GET AN EXTRA 500
Judy
March 25, 2020
For the older people that gets a Ssi check they are also out more money on having to buy up things that they need why would they think only a two hundred more added on their checks would even be enough my mom and dad both on SSI and they hardly get any money now
Giulialatini
March 25, 2020
I get SSI benefits. As a disabled senior living below the poverty line will I receive any Coronavirus check to help with increased expenses?
Kaco
March 25, 2020
How does this work for parents with 50/50 custody? we only get to claim every other year so do I just not receive money for my child even though I have her half the time
Mosses2020
March 25, 2020
Will purple that recurve disability checks get this money
Tone77
March 25, 2020
If you are behind child support, but make your monthly payments do you still get a stimulus check?
Mr. Do the rig…
March 25, 2020
Will the homeless get any stimulus funding from the bill being considered?
Catty
March 25, 2020
Does people with disabilities qualify for 2020 stimulus check
Sgirl
March 25, 2020
Question- 2018 & 2019 taxes reflect us making over the required max, but with Coronavirus our income has dropped by 50% - do we not get help because of using taxes of 2018 and not real time?
JeannineWillso…
March 25, 2020
I read a few in Senate are wanting to help those of us that are also on SSI too, they mentioned about adding at least $200 more per month until the end of 2021, is that going to happen? Was that part of the deal on the hill, last night and today?
Curiosa0487
March 25, 2020
If my exs tax returns get intercepted for child support. Will this emergency stimulus check be as well? I would hope not during such a crucial hard time for everyone.
msbenefits
March 25, 2020
what happens for those whom receive Social Security Disability are they part of the stimulant package
August57
March 25, 2020
If you are a 23 year old full time student and work and file taxes every year since I was 16, will I get the stimulus check, being I am a dependent on my mother's taxes because I am under her insurance.
88woman
March 25, 2020
I had a child in February would I receive money for that child or just for my child that was on my taxes for 2019
abc123
March 25, 2020
In the past programs, if you're not required to file a tax return due to being on Social Security, the government will use the information on your Form SSA-1099, Social Security Benefit Statement.. For Those On Social Security, as part of retirement or through the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program can have their Social Security Administration data used directly to claim the stimulus check - no tax return will be required.
Lilmozz has
March 25, 2020
If you claim your daughter as a dependent on your taxes and she is 22 years old and made 2,000 for the year will she get a stimulus check as a Adult of 1,200
Don't use your…
March 25, 2020
If I pay alimony will I receive the stimulus check or will it go to my ex ?
Nikki
March 25, 2020
Ok I was just wondering what if my exs claim all for of my kids. I have two with one and two with another and have my kids all the time. Why should they get the money for my kids.. they get away with making threats . Cause they say I have no right to claim them.
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