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Did you get an Economic Impact Payment VISA debit card in the mail from the U.S. Department of the Treasury? If you did, you might get a letter from Treasury this week, reminding you to activate your card.

 

Treasury’s letter gives you instructions on how to activate the card. Once you do that, you can get cash or use it anywhere that accepts VISA debit cards. Or, you can also transfer the money from your EIP debit card to your bank account. This is especially helpful if you can’t or don’t want to visit an ATM. 

 

Did you throw away the card by mistake, or don’t recall getting one? No worries. Your letter from Treasury will tell you how to request a replacement card, which will include calling a 24-hour customer service line at 1.800.240.8100. It’s free to replace your card.

 

So that you know what to look out for in the mail, here’s what the envelope from Treasury will look like:

And here’s what the letter from Treasury will look like:

 

And, because this blog is all about reminders, here’s one more. Unless you’ve asked for assistance, know that the government will never, ever call, text, email, or send you a link to click to activate your card or get your money. If someone does—or asks for your Social Security or debit card number—it’s a scam. Report it to the FTC at ftc.gov/complaint.

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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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Emilia lambas
July 09, 2020
Hi I got a paper check on the 1st round of stimula will I get a card .haven't receive one yet
FTC Staff
July 10, 2020

In reply to by Emilia lambas

Some people got their Economic Impact payments by direct deposit or by check. 

Some people who did not get a direct deposit or paper check will get a debit card 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.

ginabeck115
July 10, 2020
I went on the app get my payment and typed info .it tild me my check would be out on the 22 if may...it came that Friday and a visa debit card.its blue and there is a paper that comes with it saying that the card is your pandemic check.if you do have one ppl .dont throw it away.the 2nd rounds of checks will be faster due that everyone updated their mailing addresses.i hope everything works out for all and if your having a hard time it will come I know it will.god bless you all
Dosuzettecollins567
July 10, 2020
I never recieved my first stimulus or a tax refund yet or a debit card I am in saginaw mich.have wrote the goverment called checked wheres my refund wheres my stimulas no answears never same thing on computer you qualify for check will deposit in your account that was months ago.
Dfatima81
July 10, 2020
Is this payment only for people that did not receive their first stimulus check back in May?
FTC Staff
July 10, 2020

In reply to by Dfatima81

Some people got their Economic Impact payments by direct deposit or by check. 

Some people who did not get a direct deposit or paper check will get a debit card 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.

Loretta Stanley J.
July 11, 2020

In reply to by Dfatima81

I have not recieved my stimlus check.
Kisha I ha
July 10, 2020
I have a bank account will still get a card
FTC Staff
July 10, 2020

In reply to by Kisha I ha

Some people got their Economic Impact payments by direct deposit or by check. 

Some people who did not get a direct deposit or paper check will get a debit card 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.

sylviapatrick02
July 10, 2020
I haven't received any thing in my mailbox yet
Treyzure70
July 10, 2020
Well I've been on disability since 09 and I haven't received relief money from nowhere direct deposit or in the mail so what do I do just accept the fact
Tameeka01
July 10, 2020
I still didn’t recut no card
shnt2526
July 10, 2020
Hi I have not gotten nor heard about this card for help, but yes I have 3 boys all under 16 and I really need help with money right now so please if anyone can help please thank you stay safe and God bless
yolandaardiste…
July 11, 2020
I need one I have two kids card
GeraldStJohn
July 11, 2020
What if you used direct deposit,Cash? That's how I received my first pandemic payment.
Christabrownbay
July 11, 2020
We didn't get the first one, so I know better than too look for a card
Khansen75
July 11, 2020
I never received a card or a stimulus at all when I looked it up. Said someone claimed me and my son. We had a fire last year in January and they never let us get our stuff out our socials were in the house. I never authorized anybody to claim us. I tried getting a stimulus and it said someone claimed me and son. Please help me resolve this issue.
Little Bitt
July 12, 2020
So hiw would i know if i have 1 or when did yall send it out?
NikaBoo
July 12, 2020
Didn’t receive a card.
Shnnnhull
July 12, 2020
I'm curious. The last stimulus was taken by the state for back child support i owe. They took my taxes and the stimulus and i pay every month. First how is this possible and second are they just going to take the second one also?
Divadebra
July 12, 2020
I have not received any checks are any money still waiting on the first one.
Lora Green
July 12, 2020
When will I get my second relief payment? Is there any help out there to help me with bills and rent till then?
Mark Miles
July 12, 2020
Hi I haven't received any thing yet not even a card.
Calvin
July 12, 2020
I didn't get a card yet
Grannyresa19t6
July 12, 2020
I never received a card in the mail thank you in advance
colbat16
July 12, 2020
Never got one
Melfled68
July 12, 2020
I never received my first stimulus check or a card or a check or my federal return I don't know what to do about it
Aliciaisaa
July 12, 2020
I ddnt get mines yt
Devore cooper
July 12, 2020
How do I apply for card I've been waiting so patient
Stela
July 12, 2020
I am on disability. Haven’t done my taxes since 2016. I haven’t received any stimulus check. Do I need to call or email the IRS? I get less than $25,000 a year.
Shirley
July 12, 2020
What if you didn't get the card? Any help would be appreciated. If I received it, didn't know what it was and destroyed it thinking it a scam to get info.
AJV
July 12, 2020
No stimulus check or debit card and the website says “status not available!” I qualify for the full amount but haven’t received anything! There is no one to talk to at the IRS so I have no idea what’s going on! HELP PLEASE!!!
Donteenamarie8…
July 12, 2020
When can I expect my card in the mail
146448616
July 12, 2020
Did not get my first stamulus check will i get it before the second one come
LisaN
July 12, 2020
Never got mine for my 2 kids
Warr74325
July 12, 2020
I'VE NEVER GOT A CARD YET WAITING ON IT IN THE MAIL
Missbs47
July 13, 2020
I have not received my first stimulus check what do I do
Ksmith
July 13, 2020
I have not received my first stimulus check, what do i do?
GOwens
July 13, 2020
What if you haven't received a Debit card yet.
Queen Lady J
July 13, 2020
Have not received a card and when I got my last stimulus my card isn't available anymore
Homesweethome2020
July 13, 2020
I never received one stimulus check more less to or a card I mean I got bills piled up with people getting checks it makes $70,000 a year I think it's very very unfair how people are getting them in the people that really need it for medical bills aren't getting them
doggone it doe…
July 13, 2020
We received the debit card. Unable to activate. Call the Money Network number and cannot ever get a human. Type in card number and last six of social and it Just tells me that they cannot process the request at this time then says good bye and hangs up. Time and time again this happens. I want a check!! No way to get a human to speak with, absolutely no customer service rep.
Shirley
July 16, 2020

In reply to by doggone it doe…

I have STILL NOT GOTTEN that check. Can't get any info on how to complain to the powers that be.
discouraged
July 17, 2020

In reply to by doggone it doe…

Called 800 number to activate, type in required numbers, and they say can not process! They sure never said that when I paid taxes for the last 45 years!
Ruby
July 20, 2020

In reply to by doggone it doe…

I am getting the exact same message. I'm unable to activate my card and I don't know what to do. There's no way to speak to a human, and every time I enter the last 6-digits of my SS# it tells me it's unable to activate it at this time. How did you resolve the issue.
Zach
July 20, 2020

In reply to by doggone it doe…

Same, cannot access any of the money on the card and cannot activate it via phone.
Carol
July 20, 2020

In reply to by doggone it doe…

Same thing happened to me. Since it asked for 6 digits of my ss# and the number from the card, I was wondering if this is a.scam to get my personal info or the covid refund to which I am due.
chriss
July 23, 2020

In reply to by doggone it doe…

This just happened to me. I can not activate card, they say they can not process the request at this time and hang up. Unable to speak with anyone.
Deb
July 27, 2020

In reply to by doggone it doe…

Same here. I even went so far as to ask for another card when I could not activate the first one. Replacement STILL cannot be registered.....
Connie
July 27, 2020

In reply to by doggone it doe…

Unable to activate my card and have been trying for weeks....customer service people are supposed to be available 24/7 ...telephone prompts ask for card number, then last 6 digits of social security number, then they say they can't process my request at this time, says goodbye and disconnects. THERE IS NO OPTION TO SPEAK TO SOMEONE!