Check your mail: Some stimulus payments are coming as pre-paid debit cards

HONOLULU, Hawaii (HawaiiNewsNow) - Debit cards arriving in the mail for some Hawaii residents are a legitimate form of stimulus payment from the IRS, according to the state.

The Economic Impact Payments, or EIPs, have arrived in pre-paid debit card form instead of by paper check or direct deposit for some.

The federal government began issuing nearly 8 million of the pre-paid cards, saying forms of payment may differ from what someone received during the first round of relief payments.

Officials say legitimate cards will have the words “VISA” and “DEBIT” on the front, along with the issuing bank, MetaBank, N.A., shown on the back.

The envelope will also have the U.S. Department of the Treasury seal displayed.

“While consumers should always be vigilant before providing personal information to anyone offering or sending unexpected money in the mail or email, consumers can rest assured that these debit cards are not a scam,” said Stephen Levins, executive director of the Office of Consumer Protection.

“In order to fully protect themselves, recipients should only call the number listed in the IRS instructions and refrain from divulging any information to anyone else.”

Some private information will be required to activate the cards, including a person’s Social Security number.

Those who get the cards can use it to make purchases, or get cash from in-network ATMs. Funds can also be transferred to a personal bank account without incurring any fees. Instructions on how to do so are included with the card.

For more information on the EIP cards, click here: https://cca.hawaii.gov/ocp/eipcards/.

Consumer questions about Economic Impact Payments should be directed to the IRS: https://IRS.gov/EIP

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