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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.

Kd8npd
March 25, 2020
I hope people who are on SSDI Receive a check we are all in this house.
Don't use your…
March 25, 2020
If you were in prison at all for the year of 2018 in the beginning of 19 will I still be able to get a stimulus check
Steven
March 25, 2020
Do you still get check if you owe back child support?
Efrem
March 25, 2020
Do perminent residence get help
danny miranda
March 25, 2020
does this check apply to everyone in the house even though they dont file taxes??
Mikey84
March 25, 2020
Will child support intercept my stimulus check?
Sarah 1
April 16, 2020

In reply to by Mikey84

Well the take stimulas check from someone that on SSI that owes u childsupport
jawshwa
March 25, 2020
I havent filed a tax return for several years as i havent been able to work for several years. I do not receive disability or ssi , only 189$ a month in electronic food benefits. I am currently tyring for disability but am in the process of doing so. I live in a transitional housing as i await help with my medical situation. Does someone like me who has no income and no tax return and basically no home address, receive a stimulus?
Green Card Holder
March 25, 2020
Will Green Card holders with SS# be eligible for the money too?
Don't use your…
March 25, 2020
I collect SSDI but don't make enough to file to the IRS. Will I receive a check? And I really don't know which govt. agency to call to ask.
wvspeedbump
March 25, 2020
it's a damn shame people on SSDI can't get an honest, real answer from anyone. two wars i served and my gov makes me feel like a useless beggar. maybe holding off to see how many the virus will kill before they send the money out. such a damn shame.
Ruayde93
March 25, 2020
I didn't claim my children in 2018, but was able to claim my children in 2019, one being born in January 2019, and the other I had just got custody of. I did claim them for my 2019 taxes. How will the government know to pay me out for my children?
21kbrown
March 25, 2020
If im still actively employed, do i get the government check too on top of that
vanni305
March 25, 2020
I had a baby on Jan will she be included in the stimulus check???
Joint custody
March 25, 2020
How will the stimulus money be given out for parents that have joint custody of their children?
hygiene76
March 25, 2020
Thank you!
smcbride1706
March 25, 2020
How can I be sure that the government has my correct address/banking information on file?
Homelesssocal69
March 25, 2020
I’m homeless how will I receive relief funds with no home address?? Very worried..,
Happy987
March 25, 2020
Thank u !!!!!
Jillhites
April 03, 2020
My husband and I currently separated, I need my check sent to both of us!
Dave
March 25, 2020
I receive SS disability but have not filed taxes for about 15 years(I currently make less than $11,000 per year). Will I still receive or do I need to file this year to get?
silkydreamgirl
March 25, 2020
I want to know if people will be getting a check for their babies who were born in 2020 but are not on their 2019 tax returns
Dremar
March 25, 2020
I was married in 2018, filed a joint return. Now Divorced in 2020. How will I receive Stimulus funds?
GlamMa
March 25, 2020
In 2018, I filed a joint tax return with my spouse, we are now divorced and I have not filed my 2019 tax return. I now live in a different state, how will I receive my stimulus check. I just recently sent the IRS form 8822 to change my address, but that process takes 4-6 weeks, by the way, it was not a pleasant check. I feel that if it goes to my ex spouses address I will never receive my check or if it’s direct deposited into the account used on our 2018 tax return, any suggestions would be appreciated
Msteward71
March 25, 2020
My husband receive disability and I work at Walmart and I'll receive SNAP benefits for my children will I receive benefits government for me and my household?
garcia8311
March 25, 2020
If I owe backed up child support will I lose this check and will it go to her ?
CL
March 25, 2020
I’m a single mother with shared custody of my daughter. Her father and I take turns each year claiming her when we file taxes (I claim odd years; he claims even years.) Does this mean one parent will get the $500 child credit and not the other?
Msteward71
March 25, 2020
My husband receive disability benefits and work at Walmart receive SNAP benefits for me or my children will receive a government check that even though I filed for my taxes already?
Kgilly771
April 03, 2020
If I owe back child supprt will I recieve a stimulus check?
Zumoku
March 25, 2020
I feel like it’ll be really sad if people on disability doesn’t get a stimulus check we are Americans too they can’t just forget about us! We’re all going through this pandemic all the government cares about is there selves.
latanyabowens6…
March 25, 2020
Is all is all people getting stimulus checks the ones on welfare public assistance social security SSI
lalaish70
March 25, 2020
If your tax returns are offset due to defaulted student loan, are you eligible to receive stimulus payment? Or will the Treasury intercept the stimulus payment as well?
Virus2020
March 25, 2020
My husband and I both recieve ssi and veteran for him. Are we getting 2 checks
plb31980
April 03, 2020
Will past child support be taken out of stimulus check?
Barre
March 26, 2020
What happens if you are divorced? How do you go about getting your money?
NullStorm
March 26, 2020
If I owe the IRS for previous year’s taxes will I still receive a stimulus check?
cmjr
March 26, 2020
Will people still working qualify for the stimulus check?
JDD3
March 26, 2020
I've seen where individuals are getting $1200, is this everyone- ones receiving Social Security and/or ex cons too. Or only the ones that file taxes.
Anonymous
March 26, 2020
Do permanent residents get the check as they are taxpayers as well, many have lost their jobs and several continue to serve on the front lines during the pandemic?
jisley1987
April 03, 2020
Hi, I am a concerned mother like many others that had babies on the year 2019. Is to my understanding that the government will review 2018's filed taxes to base households relief checks for COVID -19. How will the government help with kids that were not included as dependents for the year of 2018? what if they were born in 2019 or even this year?How will the government insure that all families and kids will be helped throughout the uncertainty of this time?
Nancy Molina
April 03, 2020
Disable people will get a check ? Sure, we are individuals who worked became unwillingly disabled and make less than $75,000 a yr.
DR.DRE
March 26, 2020
Look I get ssi and Trump is not trying to help us out. Look I get less than 1,000 a month...Only 38 in food stamps...by time I pay rent, bills, meds,plus I'm a dieabic sugarfree food isn't cheap...long story short..plus now this I'm broke .an its a long way until the third .........
Kingdomcome61
March 26, 2020
I'm on SSDI only receiving $644 a month. Unable to work. Not enough to live off of. Will I get a stimulus check?? Certainly hope so.
MiSong
March 26, 2020
Will those of us seniors who use direct express cards receive a direct deposit on them? I am afraid someone will steal a paper check out of my mailbox
Maxwell57
March 26, 2020
If I receive disability.will I still get a stimlus check
curiousmind2020
March 26, 2020
Can you recieve a check if you 2018 taxes were audited ? Or if you currently being audited?
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