“Oh honey, I’m hoping you can help get that stimulus back.” The IRS says people who lost or got rid of their Economic Impact Payment debit card can request a free replacement by calling Metabank, the U.S. Department of Treasury’s financial agent, at 800-240-8100.

Are they sending the stimulus check in a debit card?

ANSWER: Yes, the IRS is sending some stimulus payments as debit cards. As of March 24, the IRS is no longer sending payments through direct deposit. All subsequent payments will be delivered as either a mailed check or a mailed debit card.

What happens if you cut up your stimulus payment?

Don’t feel bad if you accidentally cut up your federal stimulus payment. You’ve got a lot of company. It’s not your fault you thought the prepaid debit card was a scam, or just more junk mail. The federal government misled at least 4 million people about how they would get their stimulus.

What happens if you lose your stimulus debit card?

Unfortunately for those recipients, the debit cards are legitimate stimulus payments worth potentially thousands of dollars, depending on the household. What the EIP cards look like. Replacing the lost cards required calling MetaBank Customer Service, the bank mailing the cards and paying a fee to get a new card shipped.

Where did the stimulus debit cards come from?

There was one problem with the agency’s strategy, though: Recipients thought the cards — which came in unmarked envelopes from MetaBank, N.A., a bank many have never heard of — were scams, and some reportedly threw them away or destroyed them.

How much does it cost to replace a stimulus card?

The first replacement card is free. Subsequent replacements cost $7.50. If you are unsure of the status of your stimulus, the IRS website allows you to track your payment at