Stimulus payments in form of debit card cause confusion across country

As the IRS encourages Americans to be on the lookout for scams related to federal coronavirus stimulus money, the agency is sending millions of people their money in the form of a debit card.

The prepaid card was sent to 4 million people who did not provide their banking information to the IRS. The amount credited is determined by income and marital status.

But confusion over the cards has been reported across the country as people cut up and discard it, thinking it’s a scam because of the plain envelope it comes in, marked “Money Network Cardholder Services.”

In Iowa, Attorney General Tom Miller reported that several people had thrown out the card, causing them to call a help line when they realized it was stimulus money, the Des Moines Register reported.

A similar scene played out in Alabama, Fox 10 news reported, when several people expressed confusion to the Better Business Bureau regarding the card.

According to the IRS, the Visa name will appear on the front of the card while the back will read MetaBank. Information in the envelope states that it is an economic impact payment card.

Still, the IRS said, scams are being solicited by email, phone calls or text messages. Agency officials said they will not send unsolicited electronic communications asking people to open attachments, visit a website or share personal or financial information. Official information can be found at irs.gov.

Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro in March echoed similar sentiments reminding people to check emails and websites belonging to entities offering information about stimulus money. Shapiro hasn’t issued warnings about the debit cards.

Those who receive the card can activate it by calling 800-240-8100. A name, address and last six digits of a Social Security number must be provided.

Several transactions can be made without any fees, including online and in-store purchase, cash withdrawals from an in-network ATM and transfers to a personal bank account. The card balance can be checked online, by mobile app or by phone.

More information on how to use the card can be found at eipcard.com.