EIP Card Scam

EIP Card Scam: Economic Impact Payment Card

Many Americans are querying these days about a potential EIP Card scam, referring to the Economic Impact Payment Card program launched last year at eipcard.com. As you may have heard, the Treasury and the IRS started to send this week 8 million Economic Impact Payments by prepaid debit cards. There is one scam about them, though. Let's see.

The distribution of EIP Cards this month follows the millions of payments made by direct deposit already, as well as the ongoing mailing of paper checks. They are part of the Treasury's and is IRS's plan to deliver Economic Impact Payments as soon as possible. However, many people are reluctant about these cards' use calling out the EIP Card scam. How does that work?

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Economic Impact Payment Card Scam: How It Works

The Economic Impact Payment Card program does exist. EIP Cards are convenient, safe, and secure. The ones sent by the Government are real and should be used – details are listed on the official website. However, the EIP Card Scam consists of criminals impersonating and duplicating the EIPs. Let's analyze a little bit.

The real EIP Cards are being sent this week in a white envelope that prominently shows the seal of the U.S. Department of the Treasury. See a screenshot of the envelope below, while the official card you can see in the picture above:

The EIP Card has the Visa logo featured on the front of the card and the issuing bank name, MetaBank®, N.A. on the back of the card. Each envelope includes instructions on activating and using your EIP Card securely.

However, criminals came up with different variations of the website, including a www.EIPcards.com, where the “I” is not the capital letter of “i” but the sentence form letter of “L”. Combinations can vary (use of foreign characters), so beware.

EIP Card Website Not Working?

Many people have been writing us saying the EIP Card website is not working. The official one works indeed (unless updating is in progress), but variations of the domain – the EIPCard scam ones – may not since they've been taking too much traffic.

Make sure you access the Government-approved legitimate website and enter your info there. Meanwhile, watch the video below to see the official Economic Impact Payment Card website featured on the news:

EIP Card Login

The EIP Card login is simple. Follow these simple steps to register your Economic Impact Payment Card:

• Read the Cardholder Agreement and Fee Schedule.
• Activate the EIP Card account, set a 4-digit PIN, then get your balance by calling 1 (800) 240-8100.
• Sign the back of your new EIP Card.
• Keep the EIP Card in a secure place.

The Economic Impact Payment Card contains the money you are getting under the COVID-related Tax Relief Act or the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). The EIP Card is provided by the U.S. Department of the Treasury Bureau of the Fiscal Service. It is part of the U.S. Debit Card Program.

Is the EIP Card Legitimate?

Is the EIP Card legitimate? Yes, 100% it is. The EIP Card scam is pulled by crooks making use of the buzz and its novelty.

According to the Government, “Cardholders can make purchases online or in-stores anywhere Visa Debit Cards are accepted.”

They could also “get cash from domestic in-network ATMs, transfer funds to a personal bank account, and obtain a replacement EIP Card if needed without incurring any fees.” Last but not least, they could “check their card balance online, through a mobile app, or by phone without incurring fees. The EIP Card provides consumer protections, including certain protections against fraud, loss, and other errors.”

Another variation of the Economic Impact Payment Card scam could promote fake products or services and ask you to pay with your new EIP Card.

EIPCard.com Legit Doubts

Many Americans are concerned about the EIP program's integrity because the official website has a “.com” extension. “Why is it .com and not .gov, if it's a Government initiative?, asks Astrid Silva (@Astrid_NV) on Twitter.

The answer came from another user, Cassie (@CassTalksALot), on her feed: “Because the government uses independent contractors for things like this all the time.”

It was reported that many Americans even threw their new cards in the garbage considering it junk mail.

EIPCard.com Scam: How To Report a Duplicate

Let your family and friends know about the EIP Card scam by sharing this article on social media. You can officially report cybercriminals and any other suspicious activities to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) using this link below:

Report To The FTC Here

How To Protect Yourself From Identity Theft

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Meanwhile, educate yourself with some other economic stimulus fraud-related articles listed under this paragraph, so that you know how to stay safe online. Feel also free to use the comments section below to expose other financial scammers.

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