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We know there’s been a flood of information and updates about the government’s economic impact payments, or so-called stimulus checks, lately. But quickly and safely moving massive amounts of money into the hands of those who need it is a big job with a lot of moving parts.

We also know that the more you know about the process, the less likely you’re going to be tripped up by calls, text messages, or emails from scammers trying to steal your money or personal information.

Here’s what you need to know about the stimulus payments and how to avoid scams related to these payments.

Who will get money?

Adult U.S. residents that meet established income limits are eligible to receive money from the government. This includes:

Taxpayers – people who filed a federal tax return for 2018 or 2019.

Retirees – people who get Social Security, Railroad, or other retirement benefits.

Beneficiaries – people who get public benefits like SSDI, disability, or veterans’ benefits.

Non-filers – people who do not have to file a federal tax return, including people who made no income or made less than $12,200 (or $24,400 for married couples).

If you get Social Security or Railroad Retirement benefits, have a qualifying child, and didn’t file a return in 2018 or 2019, you have to take action by noon ET on Wednesday, April 22 to add the $500 per eligible child to your payment. See details from the IRS.

 

What to do

 

Most people don’t have to do anything to get their money because the IRS will use the same payment method – direct deposit, Direct Express debit card, or paper check – used to send you your tax refund, Social Security, retirement, or other government benefits money. If the IRS doesn’t have your direct deposit information, you can go to the “Get My Payment” feature at irs.gov/coronavirus and let them know where to send your direct deposit.

If you don’t usually file a tax return, go to irs.gov/coronavirus to access the “Non-filer” portal and to figure out what, if anything, you have to do to claim your money.

To check on the status of your payment, you can now use the “Get My Payment” feature at irs.gov/coronavirus.

Avoiding Coronavirus stimulus payment scams

Scammers are using these stimulus payments to try to rip people off. They might try to get you to pay a fee to get your stimulus payment. Or they might try to convince you to give them your Social Security number, bank account, or government benefits debit card account number.

4 tips for avoiding a Coronavirus stimulus payment scam

  1. Only use irs.gov/coronavirus to submit information to the IRS – and never in response to a call, text, or email.
  2. The IRS won’t contact you by phone, email, text message, or social media with information about your stimulus payment, or to ask you for your Social Security number, bank account, or government benefits debit card account number. Anyone who does is a scammer phishing for your information.
  3. You don’t have to pay to get your stimulus money.
  4. The IRS won’t tell you to deposit your stimulus check then send them money back because they paid you more than they owed you. That’s a fake check scam.

Report scams to the Federal Trade Commission at ftc.gov/complaint.

To keep up with the latest scams, sign up for the FTC's consumer alerts.

Watch these videos for more tips on how to avoid ecomonic impact payment scams:

FTC tips to avoid economic impact payment scams

(This post is part of the FTC's imposter scam series.)

Updated April 21, 2020 with new deadline for some benefit recipients.

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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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  • 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.

Justwannaknow
April 23, 2020
Mine says it's been deposited already on the 15th and status has not changed but no body can tell me where my money is meta bank will not give me a answer and irs is closed just want to know what's going on my wife needs her meds and with my job closed for this pandemic it's our only means to get it unemployment not enough when her med is almost 3 or them check just want to know
Tron
April 23, 2020
It told me last week I was eligible for payment and to check back later for updates on deposit...well ever since then I've been getting a try again later message and a friend who filled taxes way way after me already got his money and I sit here just waiting with kids...promise the world and deliver nothing
Missyk
April 23, 2020
My name is Malissa Zacker and I am a non- filer I used turbo tax on April 7th for an EZ return cause I had no income which I couldn't put direct deposit info in. April 11th the Non-filers portal came about so I then went on and input my info including direct deposit. I cannot find out the status of my stimulus check nor add my direct deposit info on Get my Payment cause I can't get through. I'm hoping they see where I did add my direct deposit in the Non-filers portal so I can get my check soon. Thanks.
Burn$2176
April 23, 2020
I am wondering if anyone can answer a question I put all my information in through get my payment app on the 15th of April and every thing went through check it the following day it said I am eligible for payment but they don’t have a payment that it will be deposited to my account it’s been the same message for 9 days does anyone know why
Burn$2176
April 23, 2020
I am wondering if anyone can answer a question I put all my information in through get my payment app on the 15th of April and every thing went through check it the following day it said I am eligible for payment but they don’t have a payment that it will be deposited to my account it’s been the same message for 9 days does anyone know why
Nologbook
April 23, 2020
This is actually the first site i have found that is showing people havin g the same problem as me getting my stimulus check and the crazy thing they show no reason on irs site to why it is happening. shows i am eligible for the psyment and shows it got my direct deposit info but for over a week now it gives no date when the deposit will take place. help
AZDRYHEAT
April 23, 2020
Anyone else get this message when accessing the get my payment. ? You are eligible for the payment. Once we have your payment date, we will update this page. We will deposit your payment to the bank account below It's been like this for over a week .no updates
Eeyorebu
April 26, 2020

In reply to by AZDRYHEAT

I got that message on 4/24 and it had the correct bank account. Checked back on 4/26 says it will be deposited on 4/29 but the account number they now intend to deposit it in isn't mine. I have no clue whose it is or how to get my money now.
Lace22
April 23, 2020
My stimulus check was sent to an account I am not familiar with... very Confused.
OakleyA
April 23, 2020
I'm eligible for the payment and it will be updated with a dd date. Why have I not received a date yet? I shows my accounts last 4 numbers and it has said this since April 15 WHAT IS GOING ON
Don't use your…
May 07, 2020

In reply to by OakleyA

It said my stimulas money was deposited in to my account with the last 4 numbers that looked. Correct rinse 29th of April and it never showed up on my account
AerinS
April 23, 2020
If I have to use an IP pin to file, since someone filed a fraudulent return using my SS no. a few years ago, will that affect my stimulus check? I definitely qualify, and I filed in 2018 and 2019.
Dredd45
April 23, 2020
I keep waiting for the website to give me a payment date. We filed a joint return for both 2018 and 2019. Received a refund for 2018 and paid in for 2019. Noticed the IRS did not have our bank account numbers for the 2019 return and updated that on the IRS site. Now, it only says we are eligible and it will send to the account number I provided as well as provide the date when available. It's been a long time and no progress has been made. Most everyone I know has received their payment but not us. Why?
Levahs34
April 23, 2020
I personally feel like there is more that you guys could do. The fact that you won’t be receiving a portion from the stimulus check has left many vulnerable during these challenging times. If you were receiving a $300- $500 cut of those finances I’m certain that you all would find a way to make this work. This will definitely impact the way people file their taxes going forward.
diresecawthorn…
April 23, 2020
I’m trying see when imma get my money because it keeps saying the 15 of April didn’t Receive nothing yet is the 23rd of April
Brepet
April 23, 2020
Me and my childs father have both updated our bank information threw get my payment successfully the day get my payment was opened we were both told were eligible yet we still havent recieved a date on when were getting out stimulus it just keeps stating were eligible and it will be direct deposited into our account please help
Bruno M
April 23, 2020
I receive SSDI. My wife and I file jointly. Because of a huge miscalculation in the withholdings in my grant check, we owe, this is our last year. So we haven't received a refund in 5 years. According to the IRS site, as an SSDI recipient I don't have do anything, the direct deposit is automatic. But when?? Does our filing jointly affect this? Also, my wife, nor can I, update her information to upload Direct Deposit Information. What are we supposed to do???
Jessicanagy02
April 23, 2020
I didnt receive the 500 each for my children. Who doni contact about my missing $1000?! Theres got to be someone for me to contact
Vic
April 23, 2020
STIMULUS ONLINE APPLICATION FOR NON-FILERS IS REJECTED VIA EMAIL. IT SAYS "The primary person's date of birth doesn't match IRS records." BUT MY INFO IS CORRECT! IT ALSO SAYS "If you are unable to resolve the error(s), you can print and submit your tax return to the IRS by mail." BUT WHAT IS THE ADDRESS FOR MAILING A LETTER STIMULUS APPLICATION FOR NON-FILERS? WHERE DO I MAIL IT? I LIVE IN MA.
Nate n ash
April 23, 2020
Status says you are eligable for payment one we update your information you will receive a payment date it has said this since last Thursday still nothing new does anyone have any clue when if will update? I been off work do to this virus have 4 kids 9 years 7 year 3year old n 2 month old that was born preemie a month early so my wife has been off work for 2 months now with no income and in im only getting to work maybe if I'm lucky one day a week... Please give some kind of hope with a answer of when it may update
Tlterryon't us…
April 24, 2020
My brother can not read or write. My relative stole his identity. How can my brother file and get his own money.
FTC Staff
April 29, 2020

In reply to by Tlterryon't us…

To report a stolen check, go to www.IdentityTheft.gov to create an identity theft report and IRS affidavit. Click "Get Started" on the first page. On the next page, click on the green bar that says " someone claimed an economic stimulus payment using my information."

Fill in as much as you know to create the identity theft report and IRS Identity Theft Affidavit. The system will create a list of steps for what you can do next.

Holly Pachuca
April 24, 2020
When Non-filers first came on line my neighbor told me I had to do it if I received S.S.I. Not having all the information I did it. I was under the impression that I could add my sons later. I wasn't home and didn't know their social security numbers by heart. I filed it and now I can't get back in to add them. What do I do? My only income is S.S.I and I have 5 boys from age 1 to 9 years old.
Cj johnson
April 24, 2020
It says I'm eligible for the stimulus check . But never tells me the date to when its post to come
Shirley
April 24, 2020
I have 2 children who were both claimed on my taxes since thwy were born. I am low income. I owe nothing. Why did i only recieve 1700?
Don'tsueleev56…
April 24, 2020
Why havent we havent been given a date or a way we can check to see whats going on if we recieve ss survivors benefits?
Thomas Fermi
May 05, 2020

In reply to by FTC Staff

I on line to the IRS.com and clicked on get payment, It read that i would be receiving a direct deposit on April 30. As of MaY 5 it has not been deposited. Im on SS so it will go the same route. I,m assuming it will be a little later.
Anthony rietberg
May 13, 2020

In reply to by Thomas Fermi

Mine says the exact same thing being direct deposited April 30th with no deposit or news about it at all, and it’s the 13th. Have you had any luck since then?
Redhead3
May 09, 2020

In reply to by FTC Staff

It says we are eligible than says information doesn’t match. Won’t let me put in bank information. Information is correct. We get SS direct deposit. Should they know my bank thru that.
Randomguy1988
April 24, 2020
Hi I’m just trying to find out if I get a stimulus check. I don’t pay taxes for work because my boss pays the taxes on my paycheck. I set up the get my payment option and it said congratulations the IRS accepts my non filer info. They gave me a stimulus submission ID number but I haven’t had any progress since the tracker says payment not available. Any info would be greatly appreciated
Maggiegirl
April 24, 2020
Tried to enter direct deposit information on the get my payment portal but request was not accepted because I did not get a refund or owe money and these was no other option to indicate: no refund amount or no money owed
B
April 24, 2020
I been checking for my check and it says it was deposited into my bank on 15th but the bank account number is the last 4 of my ss# what can i do to find out where my check is?
Cnelly
July 05, 2020

In reply to by B

Hey I’m getting the same message now did you get your check yet. I’m not sure why the last 4 numbers to the acct is my ssn
JKL2
August 01, 2020

In reply to by Cnelly

So, did anything come of your check? I received the same message recently, and I know that my account was different. I am really confused.
Cherylj
November 19, 2020

In reply to by Cnelly

I’m getting the same response with the last four of my social. And nothing has been deposited. Whatever happened with yours. Did you get it?
Acook
January 06, 2021

In reply to by Cnelly

Curious if you ever received first stimulus? This second round is showing deposited but number is last four of my ssn
Lourdes
February 20, 2021

In reply to by B

Hello, just checked mine and it’s providing me w the same statement. I wanted to know if your check was deposited to your actual bank account after all? Thanks!!
J2nice
April 24, 2020
I used the get my payment portal and now it's saying the information I'm giving them don't match the information they have on file. WHY????
Thistherealjoseph
April 24, 2020
The get my payment tool says my payment will be depisited on the 22 of April. It is now the 24th and no deposit has posted. Help.?!
SarahM
April 24, 2020
I was able to enter my bank acct info on the website 2 weeks ago. However the message has now been changed to tell me that I am eligible for the stimulus payment, shows the last 4 digits of my bank account, but says it is unable to advise when the payment will be made?? What is the delay if all is in place? Should I be concerned?
TJ1219
April 24, 2020
I went to 5he "get my payment" portal and filled in the information that was needed using my 2018 tax papers but it keeps saying that my information doesn't match there records, I filed in2018 and did the nonfilers for 2019, can someone tell me why this is always coming up on mine? I know they have my information, because u used the refund portal for my 2018 return and it came up no problem.
JohnLolley30
April 24, 2020
I have been using the get my payment app for a bout two weeks and keep getting the same message that i am eligible but i have not received a payment date and when they have they will deposit the funds to the account on file. I checked the FAQ and nothing is available for this issue does anyone know what is going on or why this is happening
tgram
April 24, 2020
I keep getting the same message since I added mydirect deposit payment information in as soon as the potal was up o the 15th...It has continued to say, "You are eligible for this payment. We will update you when we have a payment date, and that they will deposit it to my bank account ending in (correct bank number and info). " It has been going on like 2 weeks... When will this be deposited? I though direct deposits should have all been done by now!?
NASHA
April 24, 2020
This is all I get for a response ..it’s been over a week now ..what’s going on ???? -You are eligible for the payment. Once we have your payment date, we will update this page.