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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.

Tommy skio
April 02, 2020

In reply to by Joanne Stoner

Hi I'm on disability will I get a check I have direct deposit
AliceChristner
March 22, 2020

In reply to by Don't use your…

Elderly on social Security will get stimulus package?
gloria.beene
April 09, 2020

In reply to by Don't use your…

Will there be a stimulant check for SSI Retirement people?
myles1968
March 25, 2020

In reply to by Don't use your…

If someone has worked for a year with no taxes being taken out, will they get a stimulus check?
Ronald1986
April 02, 2020

In reply to by myles1968

Are all U.S.Citizen students with valid Social Security Nos. and above 18 years old not a dependent on someone else tax return and have no income will received also $1200 stimulus check
granny2shoes
March 20, 2020

In reply to by peter1968

will people receiving social security or va benefits get simuls payment even if have not file taxes what do we have to do
GregSFC89
March 20, 2020

In reply to by peter1968

In 2008, most single people received $600 while I received $250
Eightismydog
March 30, 2020

In reply to by Daytonadog

If im waiting for my disability case will i be getting a check??
Dvpayck
March 19, 2020

In reply to by DCHART

I would like to know will disable veterans get a stimus check also
I on disabilit…
March 20, 2020

In reply to by Don't use your…

I on disability what would I be able to get a stimulus check
Patty
March 20, 2020

In reply to by I on disabilit…

According to what's going on now and according to what I've read no anyone that has under $20,000 a year gets nothing which is totally ridiculous people earning lower than that needs a check
Plowdenslager
March 26, 2020

In reply to by Patty

I think it's crazy that the people that make less than $20,000 a year which is most of the people in the world don't waitresses and the restaurant people that work in McDonald's and Burger King and that has been homeless half of the year and hasn't worked enough to file taxes in 2018 and 19 is it able to get anything that's crazy were the ones that need it the most times are hard for all of us right now not just the rich people that make over 60 + $75,000 a year this is affecting everybody so why aren't we eligible for our stimulus check when in other words I'm here in or everybody is going to get something but yet I read something else and it says if you make less than $20,000 a year you're not eligible to receive a stimulus check it says $0 why can't we get help we need it more than anybody does
judyg1953
April 09, 2020

In reply to by Pattieok2121

Will people on Social Security get a stimulus check from the government
Brooklyn
March 27, 2020

In reply to by EAZY123

I want to know if people on disability get a check from the government
Susan
March 20, 2020

In reply to by I on disabilit…

Since everyone is afffected by the coronavirus.Will every U.S citizen receive a stimulus check, rather if they are employed, disabled, homeless,filed taxes or did not file taxes??? All American are affected by this virus not just the one who filed taxes.
Sam king
March 20, 2020

In reply to by Susan

If we’re behind on filing taxes for 3 years will we still get a stimulus check? Thank you
Plowdenslager
March 26, 2020

In reply to by Sam king

Is it true that if you're more than three years behind on filing your taxes that you're not going to get a stimulus check that shouldn't be have anything to do with it because that person needs it also he pays taxes that you pay taxes in from your job every week but yet just because you didn't file taxes you're not eligible for a stimulus check is this right or wrong please let me know
Kaye
April 15, 2020

In reply to by Sam king

Will I recieve a stimulus check if I have a tax agreement with the IRS the past three years for inability to pay my taxes? Thank you.
Jeana Neely
March 20, 2020

In reply to by Susan

I draw low disability live alone and struggle. Will i get the 1000 ? I need it badly
MoonieSkY
March 21, 2020

In reply to by Susan

TOTALLY AGREE! WE'RE ALL GOING THROUGH THIS TOO! They gotta help EVERY AMERICAN, NOT JUST THE TAX PAYERS. SMH.
Scott
March 21, 2020

In reply to by Susan

I believe it stated whoever filed 2018 tax return would be eligible for the stimulus package. But please dont take my word do your home work read listen and read again. I hope everyone is ok in this time of need. Again what i said is only what i have read. So again read and involve yourself in finding the answer. I hope we all get help and soon. I also agree on all our vets being helped. We are here because of them and for that i thank each and everyone of our vets. Stay safe and be safe. But again read and watch all aspects of this for yourself.
Woodsandre
March 21, 2020

In reply to by Susan

Will everyone get a stimulus check even If no taxes were filed for 2018 how will they disperse the checks if you didn't make enough To file..will census be used?
paul
March 21, 2020

In reply to by Susan

Agreed. There should be a form online to file. Not automatic checks from the irs
Trl
March 22, 2020

In reply to by Susan

I also would like to hear an answer to this question! Those "lost in the system"
Bonnie
March 22, 2020

In reply to by Susan

I only receive Social Security so will I receive a stimulus check?
Tessa
March 27, 2020

In reply to by Bonnie

For ev1 asking Will I get a Stimulas Check if I'm on SSD or SSR pick up your phone's call your local government officals or email them although its better to call and tell them you matter too and want to be included in the Stimulas pkg. Its outrageous that SSD or any other form of SS due to it not being necessary to file taxes shouldn't be included. Isn't SSR and SSD what the ppl worked for most of their lives..besides there isn't any earned income to file so why waste the resources on an already burdened branch of our government! That's just my advice and logic...
Hollywood Larry
March 22, 2020

In reply to by Susan

I am living in my motor home I dont have a address I am a American citizen How would I receive this money
Dwayne
March 22, 2020

In reply to by Susan

I'm on disability will I get some money from the stimulus package that's " SSI "
Elfather65hector
April 19, 2020

In reply to by Dwayne

I’m trying to find out when I get said stimulus check.
Avg123
April 02, 2020

In reply to by Susan

My friend was on ssi until november. Will he receive a stimulus check
FTC Staff
March 20, 2020

In reply to by Sketcher

As of today, there are no confirmed details about any stimulus money. Watch for updates from trusted news sources to find the latest.

Tina
March 21, 2020

In reply to by FTC Staff

As of 3/21/20 is there any news on whether SSI receipents will receive any stimulus money added to our checks? This is a very grey area and I hope we are not cut out!!
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