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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 27, 2020
How can I be sure that the stimulus check comes to my bank account for myself and the kids and not to my soon to be ex wife.?
Divorcing soon
March 27, 2020
I don’t want my soon to be ex wife to get stimulus money for me and kids that are living with me not her. How can I change where the money will be deposited into ?
Struggling Sin…
March 27, 2020
My kids were in the custody of their dad and he fell I'll but now the kids are back in my custody and he filed them the year before as well as this year...does this mean that he will receive the kids stimulus payments of $500 a piece how would that work? due to covid19 I lost my job my 10 year old has cancer it has been a terrible transition financially since the turn of events please I need answer because I need that money for my kids as well as rent don't want to be homeless please can someone help me with understanding
Unemployed
March 27, 2020
I took a voluntary severance package at the end of 2018 which was paid out in early 2019. I went back to work in August (at a much lower rate) and was laid off at the end of February. My tax return for last year would make me ineligible but I don't have any income now. Even PA unemployment is telling me I am not eligible because I didn't work the last 5 quarters. How can I appeal so I can be eligible for this help?
seniorsingle
March 27, 2020
My husband and I file separate and are both on social security. Will we be eligible to get a check? each of us ? and how do we apply for it. I only get 576 a month
Columbo!1969
March 27, 2020
I get $615. monthly from Social Security...will I get a stimulus check?
Teedy
March 27, 2020
I'm on SSI I get 783 dollars a month. Do I get a corona virus stimulus check? If so what do I have to do?
n't use your e…
April 23, 2020

In reply to by Teedy

My stimulas check. is not on my direct express card yet. When will I receive the stimulas check? Should i have filled anything out? When can i expect the stimulas check on my direct express card? I live in Unión City Tennessee.
Lulabell
April 30, 2020

In reply to by n't use your e…

I live in Kentucky and receive ssi and I have my ssi put on a prepaid direct express debit card when should I receive my stimulus check .should I do anything to make sure I receive my stimulus check
Priscilla villa
March 27, 2020
What if we didn’t file taxes & were incarcerated from 2017-2020, do we still get the check? Cause we need help too
Nicolemarie
March 27, 2020
My child lives with me full time but it's his dads year to claim him on taxes. Will I get a stimulus check for him?
Felix1988
March 27, 2020
Everyone who gets ssi or ssid will be getting a check
Don'RickyDt us…
March 27, 2020
Will people that live on a settlement get the government check? It's non taxable so was wondering about that. Plus I get a small NYS retirement check under $200 a month. Well under 75k. Thank you and stay safe everybody
Krissy9807
March 27, 2020
I had a baby on February of this year. Will she get a dependent stimulus payment?
Concerned sing…
March 27, 2020
I have shared custody have my children but in the state of Florida if your ex does not work you still pay child support. The State of Florida does not keep good track of payments I have the receipts to prove it and have had to file multiple motions. Right before the coronavirus came to the United States I had purchased new certified copies of the clerk of court payment records and balance which are completely different from the department of revenue child support division. The department of revenue child support division has wrecked my credit, garnished thousands from me and has still not fixed it. They do have all the proper documents and so do I. They are a mess and have truly hurt me financially. If that was not enough will they have access to any stimulus checks?
CONFUSED
March 27, 2020
Our taxes are garnished for child support. We do not get anything back. Will this also apply to the stimulus money or will we receive that?
Concerned ebt user
March 27, 2020
If you dont have a checking account will the money be added on your ebt card? I have 2 dependent kids!
andrew
March 27, 2020
My child was born in 2020 and therefore isn’t on our tax return. How can we have the child counted for our check?
Don't usTerri8…
March 27, 2020
Will I Be receiving a stimulus check even though I'm on permanent disability ? I could really use the money.....
Lorimae1975
March 27, 2020
I am recieving ssi benefits how do i file for a stimulus check the social security administration is closed and i can't get a 1099 tax form
Leogirl18011
March 27, 2020
As of the passing of Senate Bill, people on SSDI, SSI, SS Retirement including VA only income will receive a stimulus check with $1200 per adult and $500 per child, no caps on how many kids or adults in HH, as I've read it. Even if one didn't file, you will get a check. They'll use your SS info on file. I'm am curious to know if this must be reported to welfare.
EmilySmitty
March 27, 2020
My mother is on ssi and I claim her on my taxes, is she still eligible for the stimulus money?
Baklava224
March 27, 2020
Please advise what would happen if the persons bank account has been closed and changed, and they have moved since 2018. My sister is in this predicament.
LD50
March 27, 2020
Will my 17 yr high school student get a check?
Tee1130T
March 27, 2020
What if you owe the IRS money will you still get a stimulus check?
Derrick
March 27, 2020
What form does homeless people need to fill out to still recieve the coronavirus stimulus check?
Anthony.davis5576
April 21, 2020
If I owe child support will they take it.
Littlebug
March 27, 2020
Need help my grandson was living with his father he is now living with his mother the father's girlfriend claimed him she is on Welfare how is it going to work on the stimulus check because she had it direct deposit so my daughter could not file taxes on her own child she is not related in any way whatsoever I need information before the checks go out and it gets direct deposited in her account and not my daughters where it belongs.
Lucero
March 27, 2020
I've been in the Us for just two months after living abroad, I have never filed taxes but I am. A american citizen with children that are citizens as well... I haven't had a chance to work in the Us yet, because of all this going on .. will I be able to recieve the stimulus check for my kids and I? And how will I be tracked down ?
drw1953
March 27, 2020
the people who get disability and social security get a stimules check
Michigan dad
March 27, 2020
I am behind on child support but not a lot,,I'm not one of those deadbeat dads,,I have my children almost half the time and I'm struggling to make ends meat,,I could really use this money,,kinda defeats the whole purpose of a stimulus if there gonna garnish it and keep it
MyCorona
April 13, 2020

In reply to by Michigan dad

Its hard to find any info coming from a reliable source regarding the child support. I know others that have been trying to and they cannot find any info from any govt sites. I think its unfair for them to not touch base on this issue. They certainly didnt cross their Ts and cross their I's on this bill. Nobody has been informed on quite a few things and child support being one of them. In all fairness,the COVID Pandemic affects ALL people,regardless who you are. Its a invisible killer,this diseases can affect anyone,including those with child support arrears too. These people are also unable to work and they certainly can get COVID and land in a ICU too. Unlike other Stimulus bills,this one is one that shouldnt hinder anybody,including those who owes child support. That is one of a few things they should have looked closer at and discussed with the public. On top of that,you cannot even contact most of these courts at this time. I have a friend that tried and there is nobody able to help because they dont have their docket/case # and they are limited on what departments are open and most court cases are on hold. They live out of that area now as it is,so i look at all of this as a very unfair no win situation. Normally i would say so,but in the midst of a world wide pandemic that affects everyone & anyone,id say so. I suspect that there will be ALOT of issues arising in the coming weeks never the less.
julied69
March 27, 2020
Do unemployed people and welfare or sad get checks. I am not on either I am against no workers getting as it does not effect them
Andy
March 27, 2020
Hello, I am on walfare program. I am immigrant and I came 2 years ago to the USA.I didnt file tax because I didnt make money because of that I was on welfare program. I want to know if people on welfare program will get government this check or only people who taxed file. But I really need it because I dont have income. I think low income people need this check more than someone who has income. Thank you
Nana G.
March 27, 2020
We receive Social Security. Husband and Wife both 71 years old. We both work part time to make ends meet and both of our jubs have been suspended due to the virus. Will we receive any of this stimulus due to the fact that we are still working? Curious.
Oriegn120319
March 27, 2020
I recently start working January this year because my green card came through in November. I have utility bills, car payment like everybody else and this virus is affecting my work. I’m trying to find out if I will be eligible of getting this stimulus check???
The Poor R Forgotten
March 27, 2020
Why is the poorest and most hard hit amongst us, the SSI recipients always excluded from stimulus, the last 2 anyway. They have the least resources to pull from during trying times. They are usually the elderly and infirmed, mentally and/or physically disabled. Yet no one seems to represent or fight for them in our government. Please no one say it was an asset limit thing. That didn't apply here. Even if it would have it could have been waved as it has been waved for so many other instances. Yes. I write Senators with no avail. I do not get SSI but I have loved ones that suffer silently and breaks my heart.
Edward22
March 27, 2020
Will they take stimulus check for child support?
Info4me, please
March 27, 2020
Will this money be taxed like our paychecks?
My
March 27, 2020
can someone who is basically homeless get a check?
happyglam
March 27, 2020
I’m on ssd/ssi and have been raising my grandkids will I be receiving a stimulus check for them?
bigjim
March 27, 2020
Are people living on social security going to receive a check from the government..
Aimee
March 27, 2020
My daughter recently turned 18 in Jan and has never filed her taxes. Does she get a stimulus check or do we get a $500 credit for her?
NewDad2020
March 27, 2020
My youngest child was born in January of 2020, will I get a stimulus that takes her into consideration?
Xavi
March 27, 2020
Will DACA recipients be eligible to receive the stimulus check? I have some friends who are in tough times but are not U.S. Citizens but have been filing taxes for almost a decade.
Osmosis
March 27, 2020
How do they determine who gets a check do we need to fill out something and send it in
dutchmom
March 27, 2020
Now that the stimulus has been approved will these checks be intercepted for child support like tax refunds are?
Renee35
March 27, 2020
If you dont have a bank account will your stimulus check go on your card automatically
Don't useoutof…
March 27, 2020
I'm an ex con that has been out of work for several years and have filed no taxes during that time. I can't get work. And I have copd. Will I get a check? I receive no government assistance at all. If not don't expect me to contribute any tax in any future taxing. I am a US. Citizen.
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