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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.

Kimrichardson5
March 16, 2021
I haven't got any stimulus check from my child support from when I was working
Cat Mama
March 17, 2021
When I got my little Disibility check there was something from IRS for $24.64. I hope that is not our full stimulous amount. Was there extra money on Disibility this month? Combined we make under that $150,000. I have health issues and it is expensive so we just barely make it. I really need that $1400 if only just for me on disability. Sometimes they reduced my Hubbys part. But I got the full stimulous being on disability. Don't know why this separate small amount showed up with my usual deposit from disability.
Atom Robert
March 17, 2021
I may have not liked the past 4 years, but atleast when it came to the stimulus help. We disabled below the poverty level, had the help pretty quick. Now this new administration is going to let us know when we can get it, after we all are homeless, with nowhere to go. There have already been people who are well above the poverty line, have gotten the help . ??????,??
Jovanevans
March 18, 2021
IDid not receive my 1400 for my child
Tremain81t
March 30, 2021
I'm on Ssi and never gotten any stimulus check ever. What's going on with that?
Wishfully1Doubtful
March 30, 2021
March 30, 2021. Social Security Disability has been my only no taxable income since 1999. I am 54 years old, divorced and in need of basic needs for life. If I had the means to work for extra money. I certainly would! In the meantime, what's really going on with the third $1400.00 stimulus check?
BrokeBoy702
August 08, 2021
Is it to late to receive a stimulus check if you haven't received any of the stimulus checks yet? I don't know how to receive it when I go to the irs non filers it doesn't provide me with much info. And do u need to file your taxes to receive?
BrokeBoy702
August 08, 2021
How do I find out if I was issued a payment for my stimulus but didn't receive it because of back pay for child support?
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