Skip to main content
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.

It is your choice whether to submit a comment. If you do, you must create a user name, or we will not post your comment. The Federal Trade Commission Act authorizes this information collection for purposes of managing online comments. Comments and user names are part of the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) public records system, and user names also are part of the FTC’s computer user records system. We may routinely use these records as described in the FTC’s Privacy Act system notices. For more information on how the FTC handles information that we collect, please read our privacy policy.

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.

John1984
April 20, 2020
Really hope the money gets on my Social Security card soon could really use the money
Deb
April 20, 2020
If you are on SSI and your married but your husband doesnt work due to injuries from an accident a few years ago would we get 2,400 or would I just get 1,200 deposited on my Direct Express card
Dolarry dwann'…
April 20, 2020
I'm 56 years oldy doughters husband claimed me on his taxes I'm on ssdi do I still get a stemalis check and when
Danny
April 20, 2020
If I use netspend for payroll deposits every week, and the irs will not deposit stimulas check on it. When will I get the check in the mail?
Leilahpetillo
April 20, 2020
If your making restitution payments to the government, will your stimulus check be garnished/offset?
Miguel pulido
April 20, 2020
Maybe they should’ve made sure they were ordered to the right place because an hour sitting back here with seven kids wandering and he’s worked maybe two days a week because of the situation how do you explain your kid you can’t feed them because money that was promised to never came out and it doesn’t even seem like it’s in a hurry to get here they’re sending extra money to other people but the people that are just wanting the money that they’re been offered we can’t even get that
Jonathan
April 20, 2020
Im on Ssdi when will i receive my stimulus check
kittykitty
April 21, 2020

In reply to by Jonathan

i receive SSD and will my stimulus check go on my Direct Express card
MBarton
April 20, 2020
I am a represntive payee for my daughter who is 17 will I get a stimlus check my name is on the direct Express card
CloverIonescu
April 21, 2020

In reply to by MBarton

I'm also the payee for my 14 year old son and have been trying to find out the same info. I filled out the non filer forms on 4/11 just incase. But so confused as to the payee will get stimulus money. My only income at the moment is his SSI while I wait to be approved for SSDI. Have you found out anything yet?
Chevygirl73
April 20, 2020
I'm on disability and married. I'm not sure if my husband filed his 2018 taxes and he hasn't his 19. Will I get my own check in my account?
BrokenSoul81
April 20, 2020
When will service connected vets and SSI receive their stimulus direct deposit?
Donheddy georg…
April 20, 2020
I have stage1b endometrial cancer , am I still entitled to a stimulus check?
Michaelmohr69
April 20, 2020
For the 3rd time now....... I am 60 years old. I receive SS Disability, it arrives direct deposit to my accoint every month. Now since I havent filed taxes in over 20 years, how will the issures know where I am at. I have no comprehendtion of why they would issue the check to random addresses. What I think would have been a wonderful idea is that: 1.) Contact S.Sec. to see how may individuals are receiving, if it's one million, then send S.Sec, 120,000.000 and let them pay it out when they mail there monthly checks. Mine would be on the folirst.
Michaelmohr69
April 20, 2020
For the 3rd time now....... I am 60 years old. I receive SS Disability, it arrives direct deposit to my accoint every month. Now since I havent filed taxes in over 20 years, how will the issures know where I am at. I have no comprehendtion of why they would issue the check to random addresses. What I think would have been a wonderful idea is that: 1.) Contact S.Sec. to see how may individuals are receiving, if it's one million, then send S.Sec, 120,000.000 and let them pay it out when they mail there monthly checks. Mine would be on the folirst.
2019DIVORCEE
April 20, 2020
IF I RECIEVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND WAS ALWAYS CLAIMED ON WIFES TAXES BUT NOW DIVORCED 2019 AND WIFE MOVED OUT STATE . WILL I BE ABLE TO GET STIMULUS OR WILL SHE GET IT GOING OFF HER PREVIOUS TAX FILINGS?
2819898250
April 20, 2020
I'm on Social security and SSI, I do have direct deposit, would like to know the date that I might check my account and help me out,if you can.
Sexylegs33
April 20, 2020
I really need my stimulants check now I don’t see why people that’s only getting 783 a month get they money first. I’m so stressed out I need my money now. I still have bills coming through I disabled with two broke hips and hardly making it. I’m only disabled due to a person driving a hitting me and broke both of my hips. I’m ready to end my life because this to stressful for the ones that really need help and can’t get it first. How the hell can anybody live on 783.00. The government could have put our money in first.
Janet Mcduffee
April 20, 2020
My husband get his ask every month will the stimulus check go on his direct express card
Don't use your…
April 20, 2020
Yes I’m on SSI and one of my family members clean my three children on their taxes but not me will I still get my stimulant checked through SSI or what do I have to do
Fran Troxtell
April 20, 2020
I have not filed taxes for years but have my ss benefit direct deposit each month and have not ever received a form called 1099 so when do I get my stimulus check? My ss check is my only income
bajra.mia@icloud.com
April 20, 2020
I need advice or I’m totally wrong about this: I’m mom with three children they Live with me 24/7 for three years Last year I claimed two children on my taxes and my ex claimed 1 and this year I claimed 1 and he claimed 2 so every year is like that Which I don’t know why So about this stimulation checks we receive them So I got just for 1 kid and he gets for 2 kids So since the children are living with me all the time never visits him I ask him to give back to me children’s money...... he refused he said he worked for that money that he’s. What should I do any advice ???please
jgchow
April 20, 2020
I only got 615 bucks. is there a reason why?
chevelle2020
April 21, 2020
I was married but separated and on foodstamps at the end of 2019 and all through 2018 most of the time the divorce was finalized January 2020 so why is it I have to suffer with no stimulus check coming because of the timing of taxes and my divorce? Now I'm on my own struggling....
keeks
April 21, 2020
Hello I have a question? What percentage of the money, that the Government is giving the US citizens, Will be deducted from their next tax’s?
FTC Staff
April 21, 2020

In reply to by keeks

Get the answer at the IRS questions and answers at irs.gov/coronavirus/economic-impact-payment-information-center.

The IRS page says "The Payment is not income and you will not owe tax on your Payment. It will not reduce your refund or increase the amount you owe when you file your 2020 tax return next year."

"A Payment also will not affect your income for purposes of determining eligibility for federal government assistance or benefit programs."

Just passing by
April 21, 2020
You guys gotta updated the page. So much new information have been put out about the payments but you guys still haven’t updated.
judyKnapp
April 21, 2020
If a person hasn't worked for 10+years will they still a stimulus check as well???. Asking for my daughter
Glenda
April 21, 2020
I was just wondering if I will receive a paperback or if my stimulent check will go on my direct card it's a debit card and I also wanted to say that I'm very blessed that ya'll and the president is doing this for us cause I drawl SSI disability and it's hard to make a living Thank you for your time and God bless you
barbtracy
April 21, 2020
My son has claimed me as a dependant, problem is he does not support me and I feel it is unfair for me not to get the stimulus money...help...
Porge4
April 21, 2020
My 2018 AGI was 204,000 and my 2019 AGI was 150,000 the difference due to Gains and Losses from selling stock options. What year will be used for determining the stimulus?
elliemay
April 21, 2020
My husband and I were over the amount for the stimulus check because we took money from his 401k for home repairs. Our yearly income is no where near the allowed amt. We averaged $100000 jointly per year. Is there a way to get the stimulus check based on wages earned?
Kaiserchristop…
April 21, 2020
By the time they said SS non filers did not have, the rule was file anyway. Follow IRS guide lines went on turbo for free and turned out NOT free. Did not use. Next used IRS FREE FIE REJECTED . INVALID DOB NO BANK INFO. DID I MENTION DIRECT EXPRESS ? SO ONTO free file payment site for banking info I swing new routing for DIRECT EXPRESS. REJECTED. INVALID DOB AND INCORECT BANK INFO . I was so mad I left out BANK INFO and refilled and guess what ? Accepted. NOW checking SSA. Info said check correct DOB WITH Them so logged on . Says to create new account ! I have been on SSI for OVER 10 years and SS SINCE 2019. So I do and it says on line account suspended ! So I call because SS offices are closed sue to CORONA . WELL I CALL and it says CALL BACK SYSTEM UNAVAILBLE and there is a 2 hour 45 minute wait for to speak with someone. And a friend says that I will be lucky if I get my SS on the third! He may be right.
Fancy pants
April 21, 2020
If I was collecting child in care benefits from SS from 2012 to the end of February of 2020 and have not had to pay taxes because my yearly income was under 13000 dollars being widowed. Am I entitled to the corona virus stimulas check?
kittykitty
April 21, 2020
i would like to know if the stimulus check will go on your direct express card and when
Chocolate Queen 43
April 21, 2020
If u have an overpayment for unemployment benefits in Maryland can I still get my stimulus check
Thomas
April 22, 2020
I am 63 living with older brother & his wife, they will get their stimulus check, but I won't because they claim me on their taxes. I get $375.00per month social security and thats it, it's wonderful that our government will screw over the ones who need the stimulus without any concern. My family doesn't get any more for claiming me on their taxes, but all the politions got their stimulus and then some now didn't they, I think the elderly dependants need a voice loud and strong to bring this to the attention of the government and get checks to those elderly dependants a.s.a.p.
Craig 1
April 22, 2020
I filed joint for 2018 taxes and that DD account is closed due to divorce this year. I receive SSDI payments so hopefully they will import my bank info from that to give me mine???
Shawna
April 22, 2020
I am a 56 year old disabled woman living alone. I have applied for social security disability, and I am currently undergoing the qualification process. Up until 9/1/2019, my adult daughter lived with me and contributed to the financial support of my household. She was able to claim me as her dependent on her tax return. When she moved out of my home, that financial assistance also stopped. The government is using information from prior years tax returns to decide whether or not we qualify to receive stimulus checks. While I agree that using the information gathered from tax returns is a good place to start. The event that has caused so much hardship is happening now, this year and not last year. The stimulus must be made to include exceptions to accommodate for those individuals that had life changes that occurred between the time of tax return filings and the event being compensated for. Those changes may qualify or disqualify people and everyone affected by this horrible pandemic matters, don’t they. Thank
Teeman
April 22, 2020
I have not ordered no games for no points none of that with my card I want all my money back if I can and I want to know what is it that I can do to get my money back thank y'all for letting me know what's going on and now I'm about to get all new cards thank you I want a refund please
Kimwayne
April 22, 2020
My husband owns his own business and I am on disability we have separate accounts and we end up paying taxes Will we get a stimulus check
KimheadDon't u…
April 22, 2020
When will the people qirh direct express card get there stimulas payments .no onw will give us a straight answer.we have a rite to kno about are just as muxh as the filers
Don't use your…
April 22, 2020
My Mom died March 31st 2020 will she get a stimulus check and can I cash it.
TuffyDon't use…
April 22, 2020
Who should be contacted to check on the delay receiving the stimulus check. According to the schedule I should have received it on the 15th of April, but as of the 22nd. There is no check.
Peaches
April 22, 2020
I get SSDI direct deposit every month when will I get my stimulus payment, and will it come to that same direct deposit?
Ihines
April 22, 2020
I been recieving a SSDI since 2010..i recently came up for a review and lost my appeal to continue to recieve monthly payments..Will i receive a stimulus check via direct deposit or will i not recieve one at all..
Kmanch
April 22, 2020
Will stimulus money be on my Direct Express SSDI debit card
td08
April 22, 2020
I don't receive a refund on my FED taxes. I always have to pay so don't have a bank account on my record. So how will I get my $1200 stimiulis money? Is there anything I need to do. Thanks