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Haven't Received Your Stimulus Check? You May Have Mistaken It for Junk Mail

irstaxfighters • June 8, 2020
The IRS continues to send out stimulus checks, also known as economic impact payments, but many Americans say they still haven’t received their share. The problem, we’re finding, may be that the IRS is sending payments through debit cards, and people are mistaking them for junk mail.
According to the IRS, approximately 4 million people are being sent their stimulus check through prepaid debit card instead of a paper check.
Man Thinking Concept — Houston, TX — IRS Tax Fighters
Why is the IRS Sending Economic Impact Payment (EIP) Debit Cards?
The decision to send out EIP cards instead of paper checks was made by the Bureau of the Fiscal Service, the unit of the Treasury Department that’s working with the IRS to manage the stimulus payments.
The prepaid debit cards do offer some advantages. They can be used to:
• Withdraw cash from in-network ATMs
• Purchase items online or at stores that accept Visa cards
• Transfer money to your bank account
You can also check your balance online, by phone or through the mobile app.
The prepaid cards themselves aren’t the problem. The problem is the way in which the IRS is mailing these payments.
Check Your Mail Carefully

If the IRS doesn’t have your banking information on file and your tax returns were processed by the Austin, Texas or Andover, Massachusetts IRS Centers, you should receive an EIP card in the mail.

If you haven’t received your payment yet, it’s important to check your mail carefully to make sure you don’t mistake it for junk mail.

Here’s what you need to know:

• EIP cards are being delivered in plain white envelopes.
• The envelope will say that it’s from “Money Network Cardholder Services.”
• The card will have the Visa logo on the front of the card.
• The back of the card will say MetaBank, N.A., the name of the issuing bank.
• Information will be included with the card explaining that it’s your EIP card.

You can find more information about these cards at EIPcard.com.  If you receive a piece of mail that matches the description above, it is not a scam. This is your economic stimulus payment. 

EIP cards will be sent to the most recent mailing address the IRS has on file.

What to Do if You Accidentally Throw Out Your Card
If you accidentally threw out your EIP card, you’re not alone. Many Americans assumed the cards were a scam or junk mail and tossed them in the trash.

Here's the good news: you can get one replacement.

The EIP Card website says that you may receive one free replacement card if you discarded or destroyed the original. 
To order a new card, you will need to call the customer service line at 1-800-240-8100. Choose the “lost or stolen” option and follow the prompts. The original EIP Card will be deactivated and a new one will be mailed to your address.

Once you request a replacement, be on the lookout for your card in the mail. Any additional replacement cards will cost you $7.50. If you need your card urgently, you can pay an additional $17 for priority shipping.

The IRS has issued one set of stimulus relief checks and is considering more relief, but ultimately in order to get the stimulus payments, tax returns need to be filed. Call IRS Tax Fighters today at 281-962-0070 for help with filing back taxes and getting your stimulus payments.
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