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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.

DebralLAllen
March 19, 2020
I receive 740 spousal benefits from social security and 63 from s.s.i. It is hard to live, keep Bill's paid, am one month behind on all Bill's. It is impossible to get caught up. I'm praying I and all americans will get a stimulus check. It would help me catch up and survive through this very hard time. I have Lupus and R.A. Will I get a check?
misskitty
March 19, 2020
so when are we getting help??most of us have our bills due on the first
Bobby bushay
March 19, 2020
Will ddi receipentd and ssd get the 1000 stimulus
DDH56
March 19, 2020
I'm a retired man and my SSA check around $950 so I don't have to fill out income tax. I would like to know if I can get a relief check from our goverment?
Holybery2
March 19, 2020
Will people on ssi receive these stimulus checks
AliciaLe246
March 19, 2020
Will those already receiving funds from the Department Of Social Services be getting a check also?
tjlich
March 19, 2020
I am retired on SS will I receive any assistance as my savings, investments have been reduced by 40%?
katie46
March 19, 2020
So what if we no longer live at the address in 2018 and no longer have the checking account from 2018? Now what?
FTC Staff
March 23, 2020

In reply to by katie46

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

Cathdowe
March 19, 2020
Why aren’t Seniors who didn’t file taxes get a check we spent our social security monies buying all this stuff to protect us and yet they don’t even mention us in the discussion. When we worked all those years paying taxes. We should get a check as well.
Kyle
March 19, 2020
Will permanent residents get this assistance? If they live and work in the US and pay taxes?
Kj
March 19, 2020
I thought this was going to answer my question however it doesn't. I'm extremely concerned if those on SSI will also receive a stimulus check but I doubt it. I'm about to cry. A lot of those on SSI only receive less than $820 a month which you can barely live on and with this virus all the additional things I had to buy I just can't make it!!!! We should get a stimulus check as well!!! We always get the short end of the stick so I'm not too hopeful. I'd still like to know a definite answer ASAP!! Stay safe!!
FTC Staff
March 20, 2020

In reply to by Kj

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

Singleroz
March 19, 2020
Will I receive check on disability ,retired also
katzb620
April 06, 2020

In reply to by Singleroz

Yes, SSDI & SSI recipients will get the $1,200 Stimulus check
Apple1000
March 19, 2020
I have been laid off since 2019, ill and didn't file my 2018 nor 2019 Taxes as yet. I do not get unemployment and I haven't filled out my Census form for this year. I am well now and currently looking for a job. How can the Government find me? Do I get a check? My unpaid utility bills and credit cards are Astronomical! I do however have Obamacare.
Vincentleroyjackson
March 19, 2020
When would the make checks be available and what are the guidelines to recieving checks or direct deposit I pray that this is true because it would surely help me stay above water , without being able to work would set me back a few years and would probely make homeless , so I pray that this is forreal .
Zara
March 19, 2020
Ppl are becoming greedy taking more food and other items then actually needed and ppl with children like myself are struggling I ordered my food for the week only four of the 20 items I ordered to feed them and myself I couldn't even get powdered eggs and now there going to starve because of ppl getting greedy and taking all the food the supermarkets sell so we end up with nothing money is no good to us if w can’t buy food gas water electric is it
Ccwchuck
March 19, 2020
Does the people on SSI SS will they get the stimulus check to
Don't use your…
March 19, 2020
If we have our own cleaning business will we get a check
Stevend67
March 19, 2020
Is ssi people that get disability getting the 1000 dollar checks to help them through this virus problem.thks
Love Thy Neighbors
March 19, 2020
So I haven’t updated my new address. Mail would be a disaster for me. If mail, we need to register our current address somehow. Direct deposit is preferred for me.
Jr
March 19, 2020
Can legal residents who pay taxes also qualify?
FTC Staff
March 20, 2020

In reply to by Jr

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

Plthrush
March 19, 2020
I have been looking everywhere to get information on these checks. I'm on social security disability I only get $825.00 a month and fighting for my life with cancer. There seems to be no answer.
Papawchuck
March 19, 2020
Will people on disability get the stimulus check to
1bigregg01
May 06, 2020

In reply to by Papawchuck

I lost my job due to illness and after working for 30 years and paying for long term disability for 29 years they said Iwas no longer eligible to receive LTD and quit sending me checks. They said . I wasn't sick enough. Next I applied for disability while having to live off my 401K. I was burned down for disability the first time and told I would never get LTD unless I gota a lawyer so I got one while still living off my 401K and 3 or 4 months I got my disability which cost me 8000.00 of my settlement and I had used up my 401K money Ihad to start living off 1500.00 dollars a month that usually leaves me a week short of money I can't pay for anybody to help take care of me so my roommate is now my caretaker and claims me on her taxes. Npw I find out I close seven get a stimulus check to help her out. She only gets a 600.00 write off for me on her taxes so shouldn't she or I get at least the difference back since if she didn't claim me I would get 1200.00. This seems very unfair,unkind and very cheap of our so called greatest country in the world. I hear that 93 % of America is getting the stimulus money would be that much more money to just give every American some extra money at such a horrible time. I thank God for my roommate and any help that I may get from our great Country.
Djh
March 19, 2020
What if I haven't filed my taxes this year... Will I still get a check? I filed last year just have filed this year yet.
Lalileo
April 01, 2020

In reply to by Djh

If you filed for the tax year of 2018, then yes you will receive a check. This is for the tax season of 2018-19. Not 2019-20. You still want to file for this years taxes of course. But it will not have an effect on the stimulus checks going out.
Question
March 19, 2020
Does anyone know if people who didnt file a 2018 return will get this?
vlw
March 19, 2020
How will they find people who have moved and or don’t have to file taxes this year because of disability etc.
Lupe!
March 19, 2020
No one clearly answered the question. WILL PEOPLE WHO RECEIVE SOCIAL SECURITY/ DISABILITY RECEIVE A STIMULUS CHECK????
B2020o
March 19, 2020
Will SSD and SSI RECIPIENTS GET THE STIMULUS CHECK ?
Drea
March 19, 2020
How will they know how to send the checks. Like address wise?
blondie2332
March 19, 2020
Thank you for this update. I truly hope the government does not forget those of us who are on the bottom rung financially and who cannot work. My husband is on a fixed income due to permanent irreversible disability and I suffered a fall and a minor stroke in 2016 and can no longer work. We literally live hand-to-mouth. We cannot stock up on food and supplies the way that we see our neighbors doing and it is distressing because I have to do transcription work from home just to keep our household afloat. It doesn't pay very well considering the time and effort it takes but it is better than nothing. So funds of any amount would be a godsend to us. Please do not forget those of us who want to work but cannot. Thanks.
Velvie
March 19, 2020
Will retired senior citizens receive the stimulus checks? We see “all Americans” then their examples are only working tax payers.
FTC Staff
March 20, 2020

In reply to by Velvie

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

krreese
March 19, 2020
If they’re mailed, especially where we live right now, it’ll be stolen. Direct deposit from income tax returns would be better.
john in fl
March 19, 2020
will seniors and handicapped people recieve help after all NOBODY needs it more
rbenne
March 19, 2020
will retirees who do not file taxes get a check? Assuming there are checks that is
Dee
March 19, 2020
who all will get a check and when ?
TieTie
March 19, 2020
I could be wrong but as I understand this it is every adult citizen that filed taxes, $1200 individual or $2400 Couple, I could be wrong so take it with a grain of salt, the money is supposed to be spent to put money into the system.
Buckeye2016
March 19, 2020
My wife and I are both retired and draw social security and that’s all the income we have. Yet we will only get 600 dollars while people making 70 thousand dollars will get double what. We get. Really a fair dole out of money .
Casbe22use you…
March 19, 2020
I along with others I have seen wonder if we Seniors will also be eligible for this assistance that the President is advising us of that we R capable of receiving ? Is this what they R suggesting would be in 2 payments ? Thanks so much for your time
Angel39
March 19, 2020
Will anyone on disabled get this it would greatly help us to
JLAVER623on't …
March 19, 2020
Will seniors on Social Security disability get a check ?
jeff
March 19, 2020
I receive disability and I wonder will I receive stimulus I receive two checks for my seizure disorder and I can't work
Delana
March 19, 2020
What if your address is different, how will they know where to send the check?
cplummer
March 19, 2020
I have only been joint on my husband’s tax returns and now are separated .. I have moved and wondered how they would mail checks?
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