Consumer Alert
Checks from the government
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:
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.
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In reply to MY WIFE AND MYSELF ARE BOTH by R)GER PRATER
In reply to I received my check today but by middy
People who get Social Security, Social Security Disability (SSDI) or Railroad Retirement benefits will get checks from the IRS automatically. If you want to claim the $500 payment per child for your qualifying dependents under age 17, you can use the new web tool from the IRS to give basic information to claim the payment per child.
In reply to Did any one with Direct by SweetLea
In reply to Did any one with Direct by SweetLea
In reply to I don’t file taxes since my S by Barbara
The IRS is automatically sending payments to people who filed their taxes in 2018 or 2019, and people who get Social Security, Railroad Retiree or SSDI benefits.
In reply to What do we do if the account by Jeff G
The IRS has information about bank accounts, addresses, getting payments and other topics at irs.gov/coronavirus/economic-impact-payment-information-center.
In reply to Hi my question is I battled by mommysermeno
Please go to the IRS page about economic impact payments for official updates and information about eligibility.