The IRS has sent out 4 million payments by prepaid debit card in plain white envelopes. Some who received these cards have thought they were junk mail or a scam.

These prepaid debit cards, or Economic Impact Payment (EIP) cards, were sent to certain eligible taxpayers who filed tax returns but for whom the IRS doesn’t have bank account information. The EIP card will arrive in a plain white 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.

The stimulus payment is preloaded on to the debit card for the total amount for which the household is eligible. For example, if you are married with one child and you are income eligible for the payment, you will receive a card with $2,900 ($1,200 for each adult and $500 for your child). The name on the card will be the person who is listed as the primary tax filer.

After activating your EIP card and setting a PIN, you can use the card anywhere Visa debit cards are accepted (in-store, online or by phone). You can get cash back at the register or at an ATM with your PIN. You can get cash surcharge-free by using an in-network ATM. For more information, visit the official EIP website (www.eipcard.com).

If you’ve destroyed or thrown out your EIP card, you can call the toll-free customer service line at 800-240-8100 (TTY: 800-241-9100) to ask for a replacement.

Carrie Johnson, Ph.D., AFC^®
Extension Specialist and Associate Professor  /  Human Development and Family Science
carrie.johnson.1@ndsu.edu