- Americans across the country have started receiving their stimulus money, and some people are getting it through prepaid debit cards.
- People who do their taxes through online platforms like TurboTax and H&R Block have the option to get their refunds sent to them on prepaid debit cards instead of direct deposit or through the mail.
- Netspend, which provides such debit cards, said some stimulus money would be deposited the same way.
- If you’ve lost your card, Netspend said you can contact the company for a new card.
- Visit Business Insider’s homepage for more stories.
The US government started sending coronavirus relief payments this week. While most Americans will get their money through a direct deposit or a check sent in the mail, some people will get their funds on a prepaid debit card.
People who file their taxes through online platforms like TurboTax have the option to get their refunds sent to them on prepaid debit cards through the Netspend, or in H&R Block’s case, the company’s Emerald Card.
While some of those people will still get a stimulus check in the mail, others will find their stimulus payments were put directly on their prepaid debit cards — even if the person is longer using the card.
Through Insider’s tip line and TurboTax’s community forum, many people raised concerns about what to do if they lost their Netspend debit card before the stimulus money was put onto it.
A spokesperson from Netspend told Insider that there’s an easy solution: Contact the company for a new card.
“Netspend wants everyone, including former customers, to get their stimulus money as quickly, easily and securely as possible,” the spokesperson said. “If a customer has lost or inadvertently destroyed their Netspend card, but has an open Netspend account, they can order a complimentary replacement card by logging into our online account center or mobile app. In instances where deposits are made to closed accounts, Netspend is proactively contacting customers to confirm if they would like to reopen their account and receive a complimentary replacement card, or if they would like their funds returned to the IRS to distribute via an alternative method.”
The company urged customers to confirm their contact information on accounts and said that users could set up notifications to tell them when their deposit hits their account.
“We encourage customers to use our online tools as much as possible to avoid any unnecessary call center wait times,” the spokesperson said.
H&R Block, too, said clients could be reissued Emerald Cards if they no longer have one. A spokesperson for the company said it is not up to them to decide how people receive their stimulus payment — it’s up to the IRS.
The IRS did not respond to Insider’s question asking how people with prepaid debit cards would be receiving their stimulus funds. They directed Insider to the agency’s Get My Payment site, where taxpayers can find information about their payment.
The agency said nearly 1.1 million people have already received their funds of up to $1,200 handed out as an “economic impact payment.”
The payments are part of President Donald Trump’s $2 trillion stimulus package, the largest emergency relief bill in American history.
A previous version of this article said Netspend was a government-contracted company. It is not.
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