Don’t Mistake Your IRS Economic Impact Payment for Junk Mail.
For the past six weeks, the IRS has been distributing Economic Impact Payments (aka stimulus checks) as part of the CARES Act. While many taxpayers have received their funds by direct deposit, the IRS has announced that nearly 4 million people will receive their payments via a prepaid debit card beginning this week.
Note that the debit card will arrive in a plain envelope, so be careful not to mistake it for junk mail. Lost cards will result in a delay accessing your funds and a recovery charge for a replacement card.
These Economic Impact Payment Cards arrive in a plain envelope from 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. Information included with the card will explain that the card is an Economic Impact Payment Card.
The card will also come with activation instructions and how to set up your 4-digit PIN.
The Economic Impact Payment prepaid debit card allows the following without any fees:
This free, prepaid card also provides consumer protections available to traditional bank account owners, including protection against fraud, loss, and other errors.
There are some nominal fees associated with ATM balance inquiries, out-of-network and international ATM withdrawals, bank teller withdrawals, and to reissue a lost or stolen card. See the information in your welcome packet or visit www.eipcard.com for more FAQs.
Debit card distribution was predetermined by the Treasury Department, so taxpayers cannot elect to receive the debit card as their preferred stimulus check payment method. For those who don’t receive their Economic Impact Payment by direct deposit or debit card, they will receive their payment by paper check.
Alloy Silverstein and the IRS urge taxpayers to be alert and cautious of scam attempts related to the Economic Impact Payment. The IRS WILL NOT send unsolicited electronic communications asking people to open attachments, visit a website or share personal or financial information. Watch out for scams using email, phone calls or texts related to the payments as well. Remember to go directly to IRS.gov/eip for official information and links.
Please contact your Alloy Silverstein accountant and advisor if you have any questions or concerns. You may also email solutions@alloysilverstein.com.
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