That Debit Card With Your Economic Impact Payment? It’s Not A Scam – But It Will Lead To Them

Four million people are getting their Economic Impact Payments from the U.S. Treasury in the form of a VISA debit card. The cards starting going out during the week of May 18, 2020. The letter accompanying the card tells recipients they will need to call the phone number and register the card with a PIN and, yes, part of their Social Security Number.

It sounds fishy, but it is legitimate.

HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• Your EIP card will arrive in a plain envelope from “Money Network Cardholder Services.”
• Be careful to call the correct phone number as indicated on the enclosed letter.
• Don’t search the Internet for the number - scammers are bound to set up fake customer service numbers to deceive people into sharing personal information.
• Don’t share your PIN, your EIP debit card number or your Social Security Number to anyone who calls or texts you – it’s a scam.
• Check your mail carefully to avoid tossing your EIP card out with your junk mail. If you’ve destroyed or thrown out your card, call the toll-free customer service line at 800-240-8100 (TTY: 800-241-9100) to ask for a replacement.

If you need more information, the IRS has set up an Economic Impact Payment Information Center.

If you need to check on the status of your Economic Impact Payment, go to the to the “Get My Payment” page on the IRS website.

Download the tip sheet: COVID Stimulus Payment Scams - Tips from the IRS.