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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.

nelliemitchell…
March 20, 2020
Will the disable get a check?
ozzman
March 20, 2020
Will people who haven't filed a tax return be eligible for the check
LIBRA10041963
March 20, 2020
Good morning, if ssdi does receive financial help do you know the dollar amount? Thank you
SJLsports1978
March 20, 2020
I am curious if my children that are in college will get this check as well. They both have rent that they pay and are both now out of work due to the bar/ Restaurant industry as that was a part-time job in college. Can anyone help answer this question for me please? I claimed them as dependents on my taxes even though they are in college because their housing is only part time. It’s where they are living during college but still come home here when college is over and live home. My tax accountant said that that was completely legal to do. However they live in housing near their college campuses. Their housing though is not included in their college housing. This is something that they had to find on their own near college. I am worried about them because at the moment they can’t even find a job and their landlords are not budging on rent. They are both over 18 so I’m wondering if they will be able to collect the stimulus check as well to help them offset some of those expenses?
tim
March 20, 2020
what if you do or have not had a job in over 2 years?
tgwoldegiorgis…
March 20, 2020
Is cash payment due to Coronavirus only American citizens ?? I am tax payer and permanent resident I also have 3 kids I am not us citizen
Denver Lady
March 20, 2020
Will we have to pay the stimulus check money back? Is it a loan or a gift?
tim
March 20, 2020
will the 2020 census play into effect when choosing who will get a covid-19 gov check? Have not worked in over 2 years could not find work. do i still qualify? I have posted multiple times and no response does this blog even get looked at?
FTC Staff
March 23, 2020

In reply to by tim

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

Tricia
March 20, 2020
It's funny how you get no response or answers regarding whether people on SSD and SS will receive a check. The most vulnerable of them all, who've worked their whole lives or until they couldn't anymore. Smh. Those people have paid taxes as well and spend money into the economy, where's their "relief"? Just tragic!
FTC Staff
March 20, 2020

In reply to by Tricia

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

Was A Dependen…
March 22, 2020

In reply to by FTC Staff

Hello there. I'm a 28 year old female. For the past year, I have been working as a licensed massage therapist & claimed myself for 2019. Before that, I was dealing with many health issues & my mom claimed me. I live alone in a more expensive area of town & I'm obviously out of work. I see you guys are basing the stimulus package off of 2018, but there are others like me who filed for 2019, but never filed in 2018. Is there a way to adjust the package so people who already did file for 2019 would be considered for the full amount? Thank you. -Taylor G. Ferguson
Grandma
March 20, 2020
Are the checks also for retired people? Or just for displaced workers and families?
Virginia Furtado
March 20, 2020
I'm on public assistance, will I receive a check?
Nlrogers
March 20, 2020
What if the taxpayers have not filed 2019 taxes yet? How can they still get the Coronavirus stimulas check?
Mommy69
March 20, 2020

In reply to by Nlrogers

If you find out could you let me know please or all of us
Anonymous321
April 15, 2020

In reply to by Nlrogers

If you filed 2018 you're okay. If you didn't file in 2018, File 2019 now. The deadline has been extended into June.
KimK03
March 20, 2020
How do I ensure the check will be sent to the correct address for my family? Is there a website or somewhere to check that the address can be entered in?
Pj
March 20, 2020
My question, is do disabled ppl living on SSI Disability income approx, $18,000 a year low income, in titled to Stimulus check? I know that Elderly on SSI and Disabled ppl are more Vulnerable to this Corona Virus. Although all are vulnerable of this disease :(
Sharonj67
March 20, 2020
How do you know if you will get it I dont work I am in process of fights for my disabilty so therefore do not file taxes
Am disabled I …
March 20, 2020
Am disabled I get the checks too
FTC Staff
March 23, 2020

In reply to by Am disabled I …

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

Justtoreal88
March 20, 2020
How do you know where to send it? Also what if your phone number changes or changed?
Don't use your…
March 20, 2020
Are government needs to state who is or isn't going to receive the Stimulus package checks and how much per person and shouldn't matter if you are or are not on SSDI or SSI.
Tshank
March 20, 2020
Will DACA recipients receive a check
struggled in 2019
March 20, 2020
With the coronavirus stimulus they will be using 2018 tax return. I did well in 2018 and won't qualify based on that. They sold the company in the beginning of 2019, and that affected my income dramatically. I struggled to replace my job in 2019, but I am making about 80% less. How will I get the help I need during these times, if the government will base this off of 2018?
Kimberly
March 20, 2020
Will a parent who has a child on ssi get 1000.00? I stay home to take care of my child. Thanks for any reply
FTC Staff
March 23, 2020

In reply to by Kimberly

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

Jack
March 20, 2020
I heard people on SSI will not be get a check is this true, if u didn't file a tax return in 2018 u will not be getting one
warlock21ghos…
March 20, 2020
We. Need answers so we could. Do are monthly budget and not be left up in the wind.
FTC Staff
March 20, 2020

In reply to by warlock21ghos…

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

SharDe56
March 20, 2020
I see many people asking the same question, but there isn't one clear answer. Will people receiving SSDI recieve a relief check? And if they do, will Social Security count it as income and take it away from us by reducing the amount of our monthly checks? If you have housing assistance like section 8, will that office take it away by raising the amount of rent we must pay? Will they give with one hand and take it away with the other?
Jan1948
March 20, 2020
I heard they were going to use the 2019 tax returns to determine who gets checks. If you haven’t filed your taxes for 2019, you may want to file now. Based on this information, if you are receiving social security and are working you would’ve filed taxes so you probably would receive a check. There may be other methods to identify others who don’t fall into tax filer’s category. I don’t know the answer, only heard about this one category. Another thought, some workers are being paid by their employers now even though the are staying home. Will they be exempt from receiving checks? So many questions.
Jobless now
March 20, 2020
How about giving the $ to all people who were working and the governor shut the place of employment down with a hour notice and now we no longer can work because of it . No income coming in what so ever now .
worried2020
March 20, 2020
***My question is how stimulus checks will get to correct accounts and/or addresses if those things have changed since filing taxes last year? I had read that it could be based on filing of 2018 taxes last year and I have changed banks and address. PLEASE ANSWER! Thank you!
Bkspahr
March 21, 2020

In reply to by worried2020

I asked the same question as I was separated and my husband will steal all the money for himself if it goes to him, plus we share custody of a child, so how does that work? Lots of questions and no answers, I hope they don't screw this up.
FTC Staff
March 23, 2020

In reply to by Bkspahr

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

Stayin 1999
March 22, 2020

In reply to by worried2020

I think there are forms available at post office to update new address for IRS . Also my local IRS office has a lobby with alot of the forms available without an appointment or even talking to anyone. Try looking online for local offices. Hope this helps?
kab13
March 22, 2020

In reply to by worried2020

That’s my same question!!!! Hopefully they will address this!
catlover
March 20, 2020
I would like someone to give me a solid answer to the following question: Will people that are on either SSI or SSDI receive the Stimulus checks and if so what criteria is there to qualify for this help? I have heard that the main thing to do to get the checks is to make sure you fill out the 2020 Census, is that correct? Please pay more attention to our Seniors and the Disabled as they need a voice more than any other population. Thanks.
FTC Staff
March 20, 2020

In reply to by catlover

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

shinamoo
March 20, 2020
I'm on welfare, do my five kids and I receive a check?
JenLea1972
March 20, 2020
I was wondering what qualified veterans could expect?
KD
March 20, 2020
Why are disabled/low income/veterans amount far lower than middle class amounts? Food/supplies cost the same yet we’re told again to go with less.
j b
March 20, 2020
Very good information, please continue to keep us informed.
Happyroberts
March 20, 2020
Will people on sis and ssa get a check as well
B-Bop
March 20, 2020
No one is reading these people,I understand everyone’s questions and would like an answer also but this was obviously just to give us info about scammers ✌️
FTC Staff
March 20, 2020

In reply to by B-Bop

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

This is a moderated blog. We review all comments before we post them, as explained in our comment policy. 

annabowman1947
March 20, 2020
I am on SSI Disability do I get a 1000.00 dollars check too
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