AARP Hawai`i: IRS Stimulus Debit Cards are Legitimate, but Confusing

IRS stimulus payments arriving as debit cards, rather than Treasury checks, are causing confusion among some recipients. The IRS mailed about 4 million prepaid debit cards, known as Economic Impact Payment or EIP cards, to people who did not provide electronic deposit information to the IRS.

The AARP Fraud Watch Network is reporting an increase in calls asking if the debit cards are legitimate and if recipients should be sharing their Social Security number to activate it.

The cards arrive in a plain envelope from “Money Network Cardholder Services” The Visa name appears on the front of the EIP card and the back of the card has the name of the issuing bank, MetaBank, N.A.

Some callers reported they did not realize the card was from the government and thought it was junk mail or a scam card because they did not ask for it.

Activating the card requires that you call 1-800-240-8100 and give your address and the last six digits of your Social Security number. You will also be asked to create a PIN.

You can generally use the card without a fee anywhere VISA debit cards are accepted. However, some ATMs and out-of-network withdrawals have fees. For example, you'll pay 25 cents for each balance inquiry at an ATM, and $2 for each out-of-network withdrawal after your first one. You'll also pay $7.50 for a lost or stolen card.

The AARP Fraud Watch Network also warns that any time money is involved and there is confusion, scammers will likely try to take advantage of it.

“Do not give your PIN, EIP debit card number or Social Security Number to ANYONE that calls you or texts you asking to verify the receipt of your card,” said AARP Hawai`i State Director Keali’i Lopez. “Make sure to fully read the terms and conditions included in the card to understand how it will operate and where you can use it for transactions.”

Calls have been coming in to the AARP Fraud Watch Network from states on the mainland, but so far there have been no complaints from Hawai'i.

Here are some tips from AARP’s Fraud Watch Network for using the cards: