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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.

Rasalus
March 29, 2020
I received my tax refund via direct deposit. How can one stop from receiving a stimulus check/direct deposit from the government? I would rather see it be used by someone who needs it, and I don't want to be compliant when our government goes bankrupt on the national debt.
bigdan1963
March 29, 2020
please everyone go to irs.gov/coronoviris this is where you will get correct info on checks. when the irs has info to share
Erengg
March 29, 2020
I'm 18 and in high school, but I moved out of my parents house in January/February and now I live alone. Will I receive the check?
Buster01
March 29, 2020
How would it help if a dad, currently paying his child support but behind on some payments, would not receive the stimulus payment. This does not help the dad and only makes things worse by not receiving money. Another dumb solution by a dumb politician out of touch with reality.
This old man
March 29, 2020
Those on ssi and ssdi will get checks. If you filed a tax return you will get your check either by mail or direct deposit. If you did not have to file, They will go by your social security number. So YES you will all get a check.
Concerned spouse
March 29, 2020
Will one spouse get the stimulas if only one owes back child support?
FmrMilGuy
March 29, 2020
I received a severance check, in 2019, after departing the military and it pushed my income over $100k. Without the severance package, I wouldn’t have made over $100k, not even $75k. Will this make me ineligible to receive a stimulus check?
Jr
March 29, 2020
If my husband owes back child support, will I still get a stimulus check, or because we file jointly they won't give us one??
Help for All!
March 29, 2020
I simply can not understand I am totally appalled at the fact that an American that owes back child support will not be helped in this situation this crisis when people who have dual citizenship we'll get a stimulus check how would you judge an individual because they are behind on child support you have no idea why for every individual and this time is no way you should be trying to enforce anything--but survival for the American people. You are sending a clear message that these individuals who are behind on child support or unworthy of help or unworthy to keep their lives intact. You forgiven everybody everything except this. Why? I sincerely believe because the biggest population of people behind on child support is the black male. Deal with all child support issues on all levels later not now. We are all in this crisis together.
child support …
March 29, 2020
My husband has been paying child support out of every check plus has arrears added to it. and just filed his taxes so the non custodial parent is getting that as well. But he still in the arrears. even though he has been paying a big heafty chunk this past year. will we still get it?
Mjohnson59
March 29, 2020
Will the stimulus check at least go toward the past due child support? Or will no one get the check at all, if you have past due child support?
Ms.Nikki
March 29, 2020
Me and my childrens father share custody of our twins I'm custodial he's non custodial he filed the children on his taxes will I get half the money from the stimulus check???
ItsTimeToLoveAgain
March 29, 2020
I am the representative payee for my Mom on who is on SSI. I am not employed because ai am her full time caretaker, will I still receive a stimulus check for myself?
Worried mom
March 29, 2020
My son and I was claimed on 2018 income taxes , I receive SSI , and have since got my own place , will I receive my own stimulus check ?
Daddy Dave
March 29, 2020
I'm a single dad on full social security I have a son who is 12 + 1/2 he draws a check off of my social security as well. When they gave us at $250 stimulus check they withheld hers for back child support and gave it to me. Will they be doing the same with the $1200
jessielynn
March 29, 2020
do people on temporary assistance get a check too?
mrrchopeformic…
March 29, 2020
We the people reaching out to who cares about Lives Matter! you know the stimulus package suppose to be for everyone ,not just for the working class or non working people! I 'overheard some people saying people that owe will not getting a check! I hope it was just a rumor, This is totally unfair! to issue checks to some people, while others will receive checks around the world! we are in this together ,inhaling the same virus! this called discriminating against anyone that owe can't receive funds,it is not their fault about the deadly virus! keep in mind if something was to happen to anyone that owe, cant receive check, it will be costly to everyone! unfair treatment will not be tolerated in this Government stimulus package at all!
Charlie69
March 29, 2020
Can a nursing home take your stimulas check if your a resident
Tierney
March 29, 2020
What date will be used to determine your personal income?
apiggee
March 29, 2020
will a dependent 17 year old child and on disability get stimulus check (parents claimed child as dependent on their taxes but child is on disability)
Single dad
March 29, 2020
I owe three hundred dollars in back child support , can I still get a stimulus check?
philbundy
March 29, 2020
I see a lot of very good questions here along with all of the questions I had already asked. The problem is not one of the questions have been answered. It is the weekend so I'll check back tomorrow.
Feeling punished
March 29, 2020
My husband has back child support from previous relationship and every year our families income tax is withheld (myself and our 3 children) and now I'm to understand that myself and my 3 children will once again be punished and struggle endlessly as always?
Mommaof3
April 01, 2020

In reply to by Feeling punished

Im in the same boat. Still waiting on answers.
jackiDon't use…
March 29, 2020
Will someone get a check if they didn't lose their job or salary? If true I think that is very unfair. This payout should only be for people suffering.
Gardengal101
March 29, 2020
My husband owes child support and is 75yrs old on social security...they take money out of his SSI check every month.. will he get a stimulus check
Ginger1000
March 29, 2020
What about people that made over 100k, that have no income after vivid-19? Will they get support after losing their jobs?
Wmathison1
March 29, 2020
Will people who are on ssi, when they get money, will the state stop our foostamps?
DoCape Cod Ken…
March 29, 2020
Does anyone know......Will the stimulus money go directly onto your Direct Express Government Card? Even if you already filed your 2019 taxes and received a paper check in the mail??
Bananarama
March 30, 2020

In reply to by DoCape Cod Ken…

The stimulus advance tax credit will be paid either by direct deposit through your bank or a paper check. Which type you will receive is based off what you chose on your 2019 tax form. If you selected paper check then you will have to wait for a paper check to come in the mail for the stimulus check. If you put direct deposit on your tax form and provided a checking or savings account number and routing number then it will be put in that bank listed on your tax return.
rdeal
March 29, 2020
When I filed 2019 taxes as married jointly, I did not have a dependent. However, we have a baby due in less than a week. Is there a way to report this so that the $500 we will be qualified for takes effect?
Palynch105602D…
March 29, 2020
Is it true the one that get social security will be getting 200.00 extra every month until January 2021??
Nascar
April 10, 2020
Will I receive a stimulus check if I'am on long-term disability as I can not work due to a work injury ?
Johnny Glass
March 29, 2020
I was released from prison in May 2019 then in July of 2019 I was walking and hit by a vehicle then in December of 2019 I had a stroke but I have filed for disability it in the process now. So I haven't worked at all I draw food stamps but that all I receive. I have pretty much spent my adult life in prison, Jails, rehab, or mental hospitals so I don't have a work record really. So my question is do I qualify for the stimulate check that people are getting from the relief payments for coronavirus from the IRS from the new system the created so do I qualify
on't use your …
March 29, 2020
Will I receive a stimulus check if I'am on long-term disability as I can not work due to a work injury ?
D
March 29, 2020
I seen that if someone owes child support they will not get a check or it will be lowered. My question is where does that money go? Does it go towards their past due child support?
Jeremy B.
March 29, 2020
I just had my first child on the 13th of March. How can I add her so that I can receive the 500 as well.
TGreen216
March 29, 2020
I’ve read anyone owing child support will not receive a stimulus check. But will the parent the money is owed to receive the obligators checks?
JGB
March 29, 2020
Question: What if you filed married-joint for tax year 2018-2019 and are now divorced, will the stimulus check go to the head of household?
timlake1300
April 10, 2020
Am homeless and was wanting to know if am getting a check and how would I do it
Becca
March 29, 2020
Will you get s check if you owe back child support
Devink
March 29, 2020
Will I receive a stimulus check if I owe child support. I really need this money and have no income.
Hobbsm
March 29, 2020
I am 100 % SS Disabled Veteran Due to Service Connected injury and receive 80 % military disability , I haven't filed taxes for 7 years as we do not draw taxable income, will I get a check ? and my wife is retired and also dose not file taxes for same reason will she get a check ?
MissouriMomma2005
March 30, 2020
Does anybody know why I would have received a direct deposit for $550 dated March 27, 2020? It was coded on my bank (online) statement the same as my monthly SS Disability check!
Don't use Leon…
March 30, 2020
I'm on Social Security but I let my sister use me for dependent last year will it stop me from receiving stimulus check
Myron Gunter
March 30, 2020
How soon will I receive a response
William
March 30, 2020
I am retired and my income is less than 13,600 per yr. so I don't make out a income tax form. Will I get a stimulus check?
Mgomes2020
March 30, 2020
I feel it isn't right garnish people who owe child supports covid19 stimulus checks cause they need help just as much as others in this pandemic that says will work thru this together. Define together or shall it state except people who owe child support?
Aridenour8
April 03, 2020
My x and I share joint and physical company of our son. I claim him even years and he odd number years. Would he receive the 500 for our son or will they see that I claim him every other year and split it? If not would I be entitled to ask him for half of it? Or would the put an order out for him to share it? He is living with me half this year too and we got hit pretty hard not working.
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