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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.

Southerngirl990
March 27, 2020
Far as I’ve read, those on SSD will receive stimulus checks, i have applied for SSD aNd I’m waiting on whether I am approved or not, i doubt people like me while included like people on SSI aren’t, don’t think that is fair, I live on my own, my daughter pays my rent, electric, phone and is a single mother with two children, I have advanced heart failure and my heart is only functioning 20% .
vickie lee
March 27, 2020
Will people on disability get the government stimulus check
Concernedmomma
March 27, 2020
Ok so I'm confused I'm a stay at home mom I get food stamps I don't file taxes Will I get a check? My kid's father can file taxes but he owes child support if he claims me n our kids will our stimulus checks be taken for his child support?
Chwilla
March 27, 2020
Will they take my check if my husband owes child support?
Luna mommy
April 09, 2020

In reply to by Chwilla

Im curious about this as well they didnt touch out taxes at all so im wondering if because he owes so little because he makes his monthly payment somehow he still owes even after paying every month on time. If we will still get ours because we have an almost 1 year old and we need to get diapers for her and with being out of work on an upaid loa because Walmart doesnt pay us for either being sick or afraid of getting sick we cant collect unemployment benefits or anything and been relying on his VA disability money.
Tcool
March 27, 2020
does jobless get the checks also ?
HAGGIS1324
March 27, 2020
I ONLY RECEIVE WORKERS COMPENSATION WILL I GET A STIMULUS CK FROM THEM ALSO ?
sheila
March 27, 2020
I pay all my grandson bills rent lights internet gas bill to go to college full time if he doesn’t work now 2019 full time student work in 2018 part time he is 20 can he qualify for a stimulus check
Richieray2020
March 27, 2020
Now that the stimulus bill has been signed and checks will be issued the government intercepted all of my federal and state tax refund should i be expecting them to take this check as well? i think alot of struggling americans would like to know so we can plan and budget to be robbed blind once again
Pjlb
March 27, 2020
Will people on disability receive funds from stimulus funds?
kso1116
March 27, 2020
I was pregnant in 2018 & delivered in 2019. My child has lived with me however this year for taxes his father claimed him. Will I receive the credit for my child since I have had him primarily or will his father?
Christa71
March 27, 2020
I am disabled and have a direct express card will the stimulus be put on there? I'm below the poverty level and would just like to stock up of food for me and my daughter.
Chellz
March 27, 2020
I can not have the stimulus check direct deposit..that account is insufficient funds..it will take my whole check! Why is there no option to change it to paper check??? I'm a single unemployed mother of a special needs child..and this is absolutely crazy they won't let you charge it so you can get a paper check..what's the point of helping when me or my son won't even benefit..some one please help
Don't usesutto…
March 27, 2020
If your currently on temporary assistance and your homeless living in a hotel, will you get your cut of the stimulus package. I'm awaiting my disability to be approved and have no physical address, so do you know if it goes on our benefit card? Thank you!!
PLowery
March 27, 2020
I have been unable to work for 4 or 5 years due to depression and arthritis. I was denied SSI. I'm 61, and I have SNAP benefits and Medicaid. I also have been unable to get help with my light bill, so I haven't had electricity for over a year. Will I be able to get a stimulus check?
Vaughan 11
March 27, 2020
How do I get a stimulus check if I'm no longer living in that household and getting a divorce
Angellic123
March 27, 2020
I get ssi and owe back child support I do pay every month a payment I owe over 4000 will they take the whole check ?? I really think that it’s rediculous that they would take stimulus money for back child support if so please let me know thanks
Madams38
April 07, 2020

In reply to by Angellic123

Yes. From my understanding they are going to be taking the stimulus checks from people who owe arrears. There was an act passed in 1996 that allows the government to take any money like this or taxes and put towards child support arrears. But hey on the bright side of things it’ll knock your payments down some! My child’s father owes over 14k. So it’ll be helping him out too.
Redhottt123
March 27, 2020
I always pay in on taxes, so I don’t have a direct deposit on file, so how do I set one up so I can get my stimulus check direct deposit?
CuriousTexan
March 27, 2020
What if my husband owes back child support but I don’t? Will my kids and I still be able to get something?
inthesameboat
April 09, 2020

In reply to by CuriousTexan

I'm in the same boat as you- Yes it will be applied to back child support as long as it has been reported as delinquent. I am trying to figure out if we are able to file "injured spouse" to get our portion of it instead of it all being applied to the other person's child support.
Separated SC
March 27, 2020
My wife and I have been separated since Oct. 2018. Our son lives with me, but she won’t give me his Social Security Number. With the CoronaVirus the Social Security Office is closed and I can’t get last years Tax Returns...How do I make sure I get MY Stimulus money as well as the Stimulus money for my son, and they don’t Directly Deposit it into her Bank Acct.?
Harrismarie15
March 27, 2020
I get ssi on a direct deposit card issued to me. Will the money be deposited in that account?
LGJ
March 27, 2020
I am a Lawful Permanent Resident. I started to work on March 2nd and worked only for three weeks. I haven’t worked a day in 2019 so I cannot file taxes. Will I receive a stimulus check? Thanking you in advance for your answer
Jess B
March 27, 2020
What do I do if my banking info has changed since 2019 tax return?
Cindy Washington
March 27, 2020
My husband owes back child support but WE ALSO have 3 kids. Will there be some kind of waiver so that only his portion is taken and not mine ??
I luv NY SSS
March 27, 2020
I currently receive SSI to take care of my disabled child. I am unable to work because finding a adequate caretaker is not easy to find. Does this make me ineligible for a stimulus payment?
Jeremy62989
March 27, 2020
I owe 4 months of back child support. Totalling 1600. Would that mean they will take my entire stimulus check? Unemployment will only be 248 a week. That's significantly less then half of what i make. If they take the money how am i supposed to get through the next few months while COVID-19 has rendered me jobless?
Dlsheets
March 27, 2020
When we get our stimulate money will it come in a check or direct deposit
Mindsearch
March 27, 2020
I work on and off and don't normally file taxes. How do I make sure I get a stimulus check?
G B Brotherton
March 27, 2020
Im on section 8, do I qualify for a stimulas check? Thank you for all that you are doing for our great nation!! God bless America and our President!!!!!!
Claire
March 27, 2020
My Significant other claimed me as a dependent, but I also filed a 1099. I did not make very much which is why I was claimed as dependent. Will I be able to receive a stimulus check since I filed a 1099 and paid my taxes?
PatB
March 27, 2020
will people on social security get payments too
Ron1Pat1
March 27, 2020
Will I get a check even if I didn't file income tax in 2018 and 2019?
Christine
March 27, 2020
Will I receive a stimulus package if I'm SSI and haven't filed a return in years?
Sst
March 27, 2020
I am on disability and my boyfriend receives social security but he claims me on his taxes. Will I receive any of the stimulus package?
Tdenton805
March 27, 2020
My income taxes were intercepted from child support, will i receive the stimulus
G.M
March 27, 2020
I know I will b getting the $1200 stimulus package. My question is, my 6 yr old grandchild lives with me and has been for almost 5 yrs. I dont have custody or anything like that. Her mother left when she was a baby and her dad has custody of her and he doesnt even work. I'm on disability and my grandchild is on Medicare and shes on my EBT food card. Do u get the $500 per child per household on her ? I've never received any kind of financial help from her dad.
Corderjohn87
April 10, 2020
Will I still get the stimulus check if I have a direct Express card for my ssi
Cedezz59
April 14, 2020

In reply to by Corderjohn87

What is the answer to this question........if my SSI comes on a direct Express card from ssa....I guess that's. My bank...but how will I know it's will be on there
Blah blah
March 27, 2020
If you are on food stamps do you get the check?? And are they putting them onto the cards or mailing them and what about people getting ssi
TN
March 27, 2020
It says every American will receive money.. just goes by if you make more than $75,000 single or $150,000 married.
melody
March 27, 2020
My husband owes back child support and my entire refund was garnished even though none of the money made was his income and my children are solely mine. I have filled an injured spouse form and am awaiting a decision. I am guessing they will take this as well? How unfair for MY children!
Chevy
March 27, 2020
I am a disabled veteran that became unable to work May 2017 but I do get VA compensation payment every month I'm single and live alone will I get a stimulus check or payment
Exterminates
March 27, 2020
Will people who owe back support get the stimulus checks
data
March 27, 2020
I'm 69. My income has been way under $75K all my life. I only get Social Security now. But in 2018 my sisters and I received a payment from the State of VA for unclaimed funds we knew nothing about - it was from 30 years before. This ONE YEAR situation put my income over $75K for the one and only time in my life. This is a treasured nest egg for these retirement years (again, NO retirement fund - only $1200 in Social Security and a small amount of interest/distribution due to that 2018 'find'. Does anyone know how I could protest and ask them to look at the years before and my 2019 taxes? My income was LOW!
Injured spouse
March 27, 2020
My husband owes child support that is not my debt, I file injured spouse when they try to take return is it the same deal with stimulus?
SoManyQuestions
March 27, 2020
Since the bill has been signed and it has been stated that, though these checks are supposed to help the individuals through this, they will be intercepted for back child support, I have a question. If my husband owes back child support, will my check also be intercepted? And the amount for our children we have at home? That money is supposed to go FOR THEM during this time but our tax return was completed intercepted last year instead of me getting half of it. So does that mean everything we would get as a whole will be intercepted or just what he would get?
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