Scammers Could Try to Gain Access to IRS Prepaid Debit Cards
Economic Impact Payment Cards - The U.S. Department of the Treasury is now mailing 4 million Economic Impact Payments (EIP) in the form of prepaid debit cards.
Most Americans already received their EIP either by direct deposit to their bank account or in the form of a mailed check. However, the debit cards are being sent to some consumers for whom the IRS did not have bank account information on file.
Consumers have contacted the Better Business Bureau (BBB), thinking these cards may be a scam. Rest assured, the IRS is, indeed, sending out prepaid debit cards. Tips on how to recognize a legitimate EIP card include:
- It will arrive in a plain envelope with the return address of “Money Network Cardholder Services.”
- The Visa name will appear on the front of the card; the back of the card has the name of the issuing bank, MetaBank, N.A.
- The welcome kit explains more about the EIP card. Please go to EIPcard.com for more information and to see a sample image of the card.
BBB warns that scammers may try to text, call, or email you, trying to get you to give up your card number or your personal information. Report any phishing or scam attempts to the IRS and file a report with BBB Scam Tracker to warn others not to fall for the scam at BBB.org.