Consumer Alert
What to know about the Economic Impact Payment debit cards
If you’re still waiting for your Economic Impact Payments, you might be getting a debit card instead of a check in the mail. This, of course, is the money that’s meant to give relief due to the Coronavirus pandemic. You may have already gotten your payment by direct deposit or by check. But if you’re still waiting, watch your mailbox for either a check or a VISA debit card. And know that the government will never, ever call, text, email, or ask you to click on a link they sent to activate your card or get your money.
Here’s what to know if your payment comes in the form of a debit card.
- Look for the prepaid card (and its envelope) in the mail. The envelope will be from “Money Network Cardholder Service.” Inside will be a VISA-branded prepaid card issued by MetaBank. This card will give you access to your economic impact payment.
- Activate the card immediately. The mailer will give you instructions on how to activate the card, but here’s the deal: You can activate your card by calling 1-800-240-8100 or visiting USdebitcard.gov and clicking on the EIP card link. To activate your card, though, you’ll have to give them your Social Security number. Once you activate your card, you can get cash or use it anywhere that accepts VISA debit cards. There are no fees associated with transferring the money from the card to your personal bank account. Keep in mind that EIP cards will expire after three years. When that happens, the bank will send any money left on the card to you.
- Questions about the card? Money Network has a 24-hour call center: 1-800-240-8100. You can call to check your card balance or just ask questions. There’s also more information and a quick video from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to answer questions you might have.
Most important, remember: unless you’ve asked for assistance, no one will ever call you about the EIP card. And no one will text, email, or ask you to click on a link they sent to activate this card or to get your money. If someone does, stop. It’s a scammer. Don’t give them your Social Security or debit card number, or any other information. Then report it to the FTC at ftc.gov/complaint.
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April 02, 2021
Called to activate my card but the social security number on file is not correct. What to do?
April 14, 2021
Unreal unable to get cash without covid exposure
April 16, 2021
I accidentally threw my card away and went through all the prompts to order a new card....I did this weeks ago and repeated the process....I called IRS regarding tax rebate but I have already filed my 2020 returns. How can I confirm that a new card is being reissued in that it's been over a week? Is there a LIVE person to speak with
April 22, 2021
Customer service asked for my social security card to verify my identity I have them my social security number and then hung up on me. Should I be worried? Second time I called a different person answered and asked for my social security number. HELP!
April 28, 2021
I never received my Economic Impact Card in the mail, although informed delivery sent me an email saying it was scanned for delivery 3/25. Because I got my last stimulus check as a debit card, I called and sure enough one was issues to me in March. I called a few times and was lucky enough to get someone on the phone who was super friendly. He told me the card hadn't been activated so he cancelled it and sent me a new one to the same address. He told me that if the card isn't activated, they can't issue a new one to a different address (lucky I didn't need that done). I think I got lucky to get someone on the phone because many people said they had trouble, but it isn't impossible.
June 04, 2021
Tried to activate card but it required a pin. Nothing without a pin, yet instructions were to get pin from eip card. Crazy
June 08, 2021
The 800# provided for Metabank (800) 240-8100 is useless if your card was lost in the mail, because the automated system requires you to input your card number. If you don't have one, the system hangs up on you. It is completely useless.
June 10, 2021
I received a letter from Economic Impact Payment Card, P.O. Box 247022, Omaha, NE stating I haven't activated my card. I have never received a card to activate. Is this a Phishing scam?
June 28, 2021
Why is there no balance on my dip card. I just registered. When can I see a balance?
July 07, 2021
Never got my card and I can’t get a hold of anyone cause I don’t have a card number to put in. This is from the second stimulus we are short money still. Irs told me the card was issued but when I put in social it says they don’t have that on record. I’m so sick of this run around and just want the rest of my second stimulus
August 02, 2021
I have been trying to talk to them for months and nothing! I am a single mom and i really need this money. I have called IRS and they cannot do anything because the money was already sent to EIP card but Money network sent it to the wrong address. This is so insane. How can i solve this situation???
September 13, 2021
where do I get my 4 digit pass code the robot is asking when I call 18002408100