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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.

Strautman2020
March 26, 2020
I am an unpaid caregiver to my totally disabled boyfriend, i have never filed a tax return , do i get a stimulus check or am i out of luck ?
debrap
March 26, 2020
I was told I would get a $250 check during the swine flu when Obama was President in 2008, and I never received it.
lmw8801
March 26, 2020
I haven’t filed 2019 tax returns and I changed banks this past October. How will I receive my stimulus check?
Jennifer
March 26, 2020
I moved. I closed out my bank account a couple months ago. I received my most recent (and all previous) tax returns at that account that is now closed. I wish there was a way to update this information with the IRS, but when I checked, it said I could not. I tried to call, but was not able to reach anyone. A recording said they were not taking live calls. My assumption is that my bank will reject the deposit and then the IRS will mail a check to my last address. I HOPE it is forwarded, but I've missed out on a lot of mail that was supposed to be forwarded.
ERenee
April 04, 2020

In reply to by Jennifer

I would send another address forwarding request to the post office immediately. Hope it helps.
Julio102881
March 26, 2020
Will i still get a check if i owe child support?
familybuck
March 26, 2020
my teenage son resides with me 90% of the year but my ex husband and I rotate years for claiming him. This year my ex claimed him but the child hasn’t resided but 2 weeks last year who will receive my sons 500$ credit?
Randyufc
March 26, 2020
Wondering where the money would be sent if your 2019 tax return was sent to a pre paid card ( TurboTax...etc
Joseph
March 26, 2020
Will i still recieve a check if i owe back child support?
grandchildren57
March 26, 2020
I would like to know if people that on Social Security and disability will receive a check a stimulus check how lies has changed just as well as everyone when they said we had to stay in the house we took what money we had and what about food and water and things we need to stay in the house and we still need to pay our bills this is critical time and I think we all should be counted in the stimulus pack I worked on my job over 32 years before I became disabled and I paid my taxes so why should we not receive a check a stimulus check
Quiet1s3
March 26, 2020
Well with everything ive read about this, No one on ssdi ect Will receive a check.. so lets move on, until they say something differ.. Trust God, he will supply u with all ur needs.... thxs
Duce
March 26, 2020
I’m 20 years old and I have an off and on job that but I don’t have paystubs because it’s work for cash. Will I get anything from the stimulus package
Ryaa
March 26, 2020
If your 18 years Old but your mother claimed you on her taxes do you still get the check?
Terrie85
March 26, 2020
I am my daughter's guardian who is disabled and claim my adult daughter age 24 for my taxes (dependent) will I get the extra 500.00 dollars along with the 1200
Meg
March 26, 2020
I had a baby in Feb. 2020. He has a social Security number.. Will he get a check?
A bush
March 26, 2020
Will child support get the stimulus package to if they already took your federal an state tax
Eva
April 16, 2020

In reply to by A bush

Hi I'm on child support but I get a ssi check do I still get the, stimulus check
Jonah
March 26, 2020
My direct deposit has changed since i filed my 2019 taxes. Is there a way to update my banking information to receive my stimulus check?
Duane
March 26, 2020
What if I didn't file for 2018 or 2019 will still get a check?
Andy S
March 26, 2020
Will the babies born in 2020 get the checks as their names won’t be mentioned in 2019 tax return?
Maxwall
March 26, 2020
I think we will be left out bc they consider we’re already receiving checks , big deal ! but big bail outs to corporations,who really need the money, we can live on bologna sandwiches and pbj, we also contribute to taxes and pay rent etc. I know a lot of folks living on streets who are on ssi ,vets disability, I’m waiting for total knee replacement surgery myself but was canceled by va due to Corona v
mdgeeen
March 26, 2020
My divorce was finalized beginning of January. I had to file last years taxes with me w husband. He makes significantly more than me How can I assure that I get a check and it doesn’t go to him?
MARI
March 26, 2020
Do people on disability get a stimulus check due to the cold-19 outbreak and if so how much. Also will we be getting our checks in a timely matter or will they be held up due to ssi being closed and federal reserve status. Thank you.
Anmcgrew2
April 07, 2020
What if my bank account has changed sense I did 2018 taxes how can I get the right bank account to irs for the relief stimulus money?
mom of 2
March 26, 2020
My x husband is over $6,000 in the rear and owes on his own taxes. Will I get his check? I dont get his income tax because of how far he is behind in his own taxes and school loan debt that he isnt paying on.
72lilmama
March 26, 2020
I just wondered if my 20 yr old, never had a job, son would get a check. Also would my 17 yr old daughter who does have a job & filed taxes get a check. Just curious. Thanks
ERenee
April 04, 2020

In reply to by 72lilmama

Unfortunately, I was reading that 17yr olds are in the age bracket of not receiving a check and your 20 yr old son who has never had a job isn't technically a taxpayer so he wouldn't qualify. I feel for your 17 yr old because you can't get a check for her and she can't get one for herself. It's kind of a grey area.
R.Kersey
March 26, 2020
I'm trying to find out whether my stimulus check will be taken by child support. This is not something that should be Garnished because we're in a serious time of need and even those of us behind on child support need to survive!!
S.Beana
March 26, 2020
If I’m on child support and owe back pay will I still receive a stimulus check?
LJB
March 26, 2020
What if you bank account or address has changed since your 2018 tax return? How will you receive your stimulus check?
tat26
March 26, 2020
Can 19 year olds get the check because they are considered an adult.
Anonymous
March 26, 2020
Are the homeless or those on food SNAP eligible if they filed taxes the last two years but not yet this year?
ter
March 26, 2020
will the disabled get a check too
Jess1985
March 26, 2020
I just got outta prison and I am on parole does that mean I don't get a check?
Herman
March 26, 2020
I’m on SSDI. I don’t make enough money to file taxes. Will I still get a stimulants check?
FlacaTexas
March 26, 2020
My son is 21 years old and a full time college student. Due to the Covid 19 pandemic, I read that since I claimed him on my taxes, he will not receive a stimulus check. He is a citizen and is also affected by the stimulus. So why not?
Cole124
March 26, 2020
If I pay taxes and am 17 will I be receiving the check? my hours got cut to 0.
Nay1234
March 26, 2020
If I'm behind on child support will I receive the check as well
Natalie B
March 26, 2020
What about those who have applied for disability and are waiting on a decision? Will those people get a check?
Wanda50
March 26, 2020
I am married. And I get $500. From Social Security for disability My husband is a veteran. He is in a Veterans war home. Because she can't do anything. Would I still be eligible for a check?
MRobbins
March 26, 2020
Will unemployed Americans get the stimulus check . Were the ones I most of need. Having rough time as it is to get things we need to support our family and to be able to take care of our kids were the ones needing it the most. And cant get a job because bobone hiring over this epidemic.
William2316#
March 26, 2020
If I owe back child support will I still receive this stimulous check or will it be taken like my taxes
Shen91
March 26, 2020
Yes, we will. This is from March 26th, 2020 For Those On Social Security, SSDI, or SSI For those on Social Security as part of retirement or through the Social Security Disability Insurance program can have their Social Security Administration data used directly to claim the stimulus check - no tax return will be required. The final version of the bill will also include payments to those whose income comes entirely from non-taxable benefits, such as SSI benefits.
ConcernedParen…
March 26, 2020
Is anyone answering these questions? Does a person who owes back child support receive a check? Will some or all of their debt be taken from their portion?
thorsen88
April 13, 2020

In reply to by ConcernedParen…

From what I have read, if you owe child support, it will be taken out of your stimulus check. You still will receive any remaining balance if any.
Corey
March 26, 2020
If you owe child support will they take your check from the corona virus?
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