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The US Department of the Treasury and the IRS are working hard to get a second round of Economic Impact Payments (EIP) to people. You might have already gotten your payment direct deposited into your bank account. That started on December 29th. You might have gotten a check in the mail. But, like last time, some people will get their payment in the mail on an EIP VISA debit card. Don’t be surprised if the way you get this second round of payments is different than the first time. Whichever way you get your payment, it’s all money the government wants you to have, and quickly. So: if you qualify for an Economic Impact Payment, look at your bank account for a direct deposit, keep an eye out for a check in the mail, or watch your mailbox carefully this month for an EIP Visa debit card.

With checks, you know the drill: get the check, deposit the check. Since you might not have gotten money on a VISA debit card before, here’s a bit more info. The EIP VISA debit card will come in an envelope that looks like this:

The debit cards are managed by Money Network Financial, LLC and issued by Treasury’s financial agent, MetaBank®, N.A., and will look like this:

If you got an EIP VISA debit card in the mail, here’s what to do.

  • Activate the EIP VISA debit card right away by calling 1-800-240-8100. To activate your card, you’ll have to give the last six digits of your Social Security number. Once the card is activated, you can use it anywhere that accepts VISA debit cards, including online or in a store, or at an ATM to get cash. You also can transfer the money from the card to your personal bank account without fees. Keep in mind that the EIP debit cards will expire after three years. If that happens, call customer service to request the funds be sent to you as a check.
  • Got questions about the EIP card? Call the 24-hour call center at 1-800-240-8100. You can also visit EIPCard.com for information on using your EIP card, like where to log in to see your card balance, or where to find an in-network ATM to get money out of the card at no charge.
  • Got more general EIP questions? The IRS also has an FAQs page in English, or in Spanish.

And one last thing. Like last time, scammers are at work trying to get your money and/or personal information. Remember that the government will never call, text, email, or ask you to click on a link to activate your EIP card or get your money. If anyone does, it’s a scam. Don’t give anyone your personal or financial information, like your Social Security or bank account numbers. And never pay anyone to get your EIP funds. Report any scam immediately to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

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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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Melody anderso…
March 24, 2021
Hi i suspose to get my stimulus payment today. But it suspose to be on the card. I have not recieve my card i call the 1800 number. And they cant find me in the system to reissue my card what am i suspose to do now
AVONDALE1
March 26, 2021
I have been waiting for my second stimulus payments since January 6th I received a paper couple of weeks ago stating I have not activated my card I never received a EIPcard. SO THEY REISSUED ANOTHER CARD A REPLACEMENT CARD ON MARCH 9TH 2021 I STILL HAVE NOT RECEIVED IT. SO WHAT NOW I'M GOING TO HAVE TO ASK FOR ANOTHER ONE WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THE GOVERNMENT WHAT'S UP WITH THESE PEOPLE THAT THEY CANNOT GET SOMEONE'S INFORMATION RIGHT OR SOMEONE'S ADDRESS RIGHT. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED THE SECOND OR THE THIRD STIMULUS PAYMENT BECAUSE OF THIS.
customer service?
March 29, 2021

In reply to by AVONDALE1

On March 4, 2021, I received a letter from IRS telling me that my second round of payment has been sent, but I have never received a second round EIP Card. On March 9, 2021, I requested a reissue My replacement EIP card, one month has passed, and I still haven’t received the second round of EIP Card. Do I need to continue to reissue?
Frustrated
March 30, 2021
Something needs to be done about the fact that you cannot easily get the cash off these cards. The EIP site indicates you can get it at places like CVS and Walgreens and I called the EIP number to verify if that is the case at all or some have different rules. I was advised you should be able to withdraw $1000 then you'd have to wait 24 hours do another withdrawal. However, those places limit how much you can withdraw. CVS being $100 and Walgreens being $200. What are you supposed to do, 7 withdrawls of $200 over 7 days or 100 over 14? It's more convenient to withdraw then money then deposit it to your own account vs transferring the funds. So you don't have to wait for anything to clear, but many will be left without a choice and HAVE to transfer it.
Wendellc79
March 31, 2021
I was suppose to get a eip card for my second and third stimulus but haven't received not one at all.
Georgia Girl
March 31, 2021
How can money be transfered from the card to personal bank account without fees?
Jbnb4##
April 01, 2021
You made this so complicated, so confusing, I had to create ids and passwords just to cash this card.
mjs
April 01, 2021
I activated my card but when I logged into the online account at eipcard.com it still shows a balance of $0.00. I created that account for the first card. Do I need to create a new account for the second card? Why isnt the new balance reflected?
Jodi
April 02, 2021

In reply to by mjs

The same thing just happened to me. I called and activated the card but when I log on to eipcard.com it shows a balance of zero. Now what?
jason
April 06, 2021

In reply to by mjs

mjs - the exact same thing is happening to me! Did you get it resolved? I registered for the first card payment, and was hoping my account would have the new card balance, but it doesn't.
Surferdude
April 02, 2021
Hello, I activated my eip card and made a transfer via phone. However, I didn't get any deposit in my account. Also the new card I activated does not exist on my eip online account. How do I track this transaction? Checked the balance via phone, and it says 0 balance.
Confused & Fru…
April 03, 2021
What are we supposed to do if we can't activate our card. I call the number, enter all the required info & it tells me that my last 4 of my SS# doesn't match. Calling several times, there isn't an option to talk with some one or how to fix the problem. I'm begging you, please tell me how to fix this.
SoCalJCa
June 25, 2021

In reply to by Confused & Fru…

I have the exact same issue and I have not been able to get in touch with someone either. We’re you able to get your situation resolved? This is so frustrating!
William Henry
April 03, 2021
I am an elderly person with social security and savings. I have no pension and no withholding. I pay estimated taxes and IRS debits my checking account electronically each quarter. I received first two stimulus by direct deposit. There has been no change in my account in more than twenty years. My third EIP was a VISA Debit Card. Why? I don't like using the Debit Card. I attempted to transfer the balance to my checking account. Doesn't work. I pay many bills electronically, no problem. Have you tried to talk to a live agent at MetaBank? It's impossible!
CENA007
April 04, 2021
I tried to activate my eip card but it won’t let me. I tried calling the number many times but it won’t let me. I need help
jeepish
April 04, 2021
We received a check for the 1st stimulus and this EIP card for the 2nd stimulus. The check sure was easy to use. Deposit it and spend it. We are still trying to figure out this card which has been terribly frustating. There are fees to get cash unless specific ATMs are used, but we don't know where to find these specific ATMs and during a pandemic we don't intend to visit any ATM located indoors. Also the document the card is attached to states "There is an arbitration clause in your full cardholder agreement...". Since we didn't receive the terms, and we don't want to waste time going to the website to find all the terms, we are unwilling to use the card and thereby agree to the terms. SO since we have decided not to utilize the card, how are we to get the stimulus? Will a check be mailed if we never use the card? Do we claim it on our 2020 taxes? Or do we wait until the card expires in 3 years and they send a check for the balance?
Vegasguy
April 05, 2021
This is absolutely not correct information on activation of card I called gave them the correct 6 digits put me on hold to speak to someone then they asked what address I lived at during college I can't remember each semester was new place, they ask for my step moms age (haven't spoken to her in years) and if I had a professional license in the medical field (I don't) answering the best I could was told they can't activate my card sorry.
fedup
April 05, 2021
Is anyone else having trouble activating the card thru the phone system?? I pushed one for English - that worked fine. But it then says press one to activate and I press it, voiced said it tried everything and it just tells me to call back when I want to make a selection between pressing one or two. Why didn't they just send a check as that would work - now I have a card that I can't activate -- this is the dumbest thing I have ever seen.
Yash b
April 06, 2021
issue with card Never able to Activate, call the number, it said no action on my side Still can not use the card nor able to transfer money to bank account Need Help!!
Mayleman82
April 06, 2021
I didn't get the first or second stimulus check either
MMFirestone
April 06, 2021
I activated my $1400 stimulus payment debit card and went to the EIP website to download it to my bank. It doesn't appear on my account. Only the first stimulus payment is there with $0 balance. How am I supposed to transfer my payment to my bank?
Danny
April 06, 2021
I got the letters saying im getting the card then nothing then a few weeks ago I get a letter to activate my card I never got a card called money network ordered a new card and still haven't gotten it yet
Grandps
April 07, 2021
I received a letter telling me they would send my stimulus (2nd) on the 6th it never arrived i waited the time stated before reporting it lost after dozens of calls of being hung up by the system once i entered the option needed .I finally reported it lost and it said 5 to 7 days and i have received nothing 2 weeks later .I just received the last stimulus .Nothing yet on the 2nd one.
This guy blue
April 08, 2021
I got my card and activated it and now I don't have access to it. Card pin isn't valid when I write all my passwords down so I know I'm not wrong. I can't log in because the page doesn't load after inputimg my info and I can't get to costumer service when my pin is incorrect help!!!!!!!
Marthas5566
April 08, 2021
I've always had direct deposit, why did I get a card?
Violetm84
April 09, 2021
I did not receive my second economic payment for the 600$ .I called the iep card metabank they told me the card was activated and the balance used.How do I get a reissue of funds?
Happy john
April 09, 2021
I just found my EIPCard and I cannot access my account. When I call the 800 # they ask for my 4 digit password which I don't have. What do I do to talk with someone?
Frustrated abo…
April 12, 2021
I have called the 1-800-240-8100 numerous times and when I input my card # they ask me for my 4 digit pin. I DO NOT HAVE A PIN! I am calling to get a pin. There is not a request to enter my 6 digit SS# and then enter the 3 digit # on the back of the card. The only request is to enter a 4 digit pin that I am calling to get. Please Help
Rbyc63Don't us…
April 14, 2021
I received my eip card and activated it but can't get money from any atm and now can't seem to speak to a live person
cat
April 15, 2021
why would you send these debit cards to old people? they are verifing with info that's 50 years old. I have dementia, this doesn't work. I want a check.
Lee
April 19, 2021
I received a notice in mail Saturday about my economic impact card but didn't receive my card in the mail on Saturday. How do I check to see where my card is?
thefrogandminnow
April 19, 2021
What is someone received the card after they died? How do you return the money?
Gerardo
April 19, 2021
I activated the card and set a PIN, but now I can't remember it and can't access the money. There is no liver person to talk to or reset the PIN. Can someone help?
fearjp
April 19, 2021
Hi, just want to know if possible, how do I do with the 2nd card when it comes to accounts? I already got my first card and made an account but with the 2nd one, do I have to create a new account? I tried to see if I can my 2nd funds in my current account but can't seem to find that option. I tried to make the same account obviously its taken. Thanks
4EverPirate
May 03, 2021
Do I need to create a whole new Money Market account online for my recent EIP card if I already created one with my last stimulus EIP card? If not, is there a way to add the newest EIP card to the existing account?
hardworkingsingle
May 06, 2021
Why are hard working single people not getting stimulus money because they make over $80000? It costs more for a single person to sustain a household. I'm an essential worker so I have not been given any reprieve during Covid epidemic and actually forced into working more hours. Yet, everyone around me is receiving full stimulus because they are married and have children. If you are essential, you should receive that stimulus just like everyone else. It may not be your choice!
amigo1
May 11, 2021
We filed with our taxes but all we received is 32.08 as a refund where is the second stimulus that we filed with our 2020 taxes in February. haven't received that where is it
Colemc
June 07, 2021
I didn't get my card initially and had to ask metabank for a replacement. When I got it and activitated the card it told me there was $0 on it. Just how??? How can I get my 3rd economic payment.
SoCalJCa
June 25, 2021
I received 2 EIP cards, one in January and a second one recently. The cars only had my first name listed. When I called the 1-800-240-8100 number for Customer Service there is no way to reach someone without activating the card. When I tried doing that the automated system told me my last 6 numbers of my SS# did not match and then then hung up. I then tried the option 2 to report a lost card but again it’s impossible to reach a live person unless the card is activated or you activate the card which I cannot do because the info on file is not matching what the last 6 digits of my SS# are. How can I get this resolved if I cannot reach a live person. The automated voice system at 1-800-240-8100 is awful!
weepingwillow
August 09, 2021
Received letter 144b in March, still haven't received a check or debit card. I am unable to contact anyone about the problem. There has to be a better way to handle these countless short comings by the staff at these companies.
Tajson
August 23, 2021
Instead of $2,400.00, my EIP check was $2,336.74. Who is entitled to take that money and for what reason?
Jdiehl
September 03, 2021
I have activated my card and when i go to use it, it gets declined. i have the full amount and have never been able to use it. There is absolutely NO HELP on the phone system. I can't even transfer the funds to my bank account because it shows me an error of invalid account status. There is no help and I am beyond frustrated!!!!