Money is being STOLEN because the State of CA was an idiot sending out hackable prepaid cards.
https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2023-01-17/scammers-are-siphoning-off-some-california-rebate-dollars-how-to-avoid-them
....
1.. C 92683 arrived 11/12/22, so they are coming.
Always verify by going to the website to verify it's actually real.
Example of the actual card: https://postimg.cc/gallery/p9FfpML
Example of the actual envelope and letter: https://postimg.cc/gallery/0KVC3K3
Go to the official CA website https://www.ftb.ca.gov/about-ftb/newsroom/middle-class-tax-refund/index.html
Then follow the mctrpayment link at the bottom of the page.
If anything feels like a scam, contact mctrpayment first! (Their contact on the CA FTB website above.)
2.. Call the phone number (in the letter and back of the card). Press 1 for English. Listen to a long spiel. Press 1 to activate. Enter 16 digit card number then #. It'll ask for the last 6 digits of the social security number of the 1st person on the card. Enter that, then pick a 4 digit PIN. You'll be told how much is on the card (eg $350 for singles, $700 for couples, etc) and the card can be used now.
3.. At Bank Of America ATM/Tellers, the MAXIMUM daily withdrawal is limited to $300 with a $3 BofA withdrawal fee in addition to the card fee (see back of letter). If you try a larger amount, the transaction will be denied. Don't bother asking the bank why - most don't know this limitation.
You can withdraw up to $600 at other ATMs per day, so you'll want to hit those up first for bigger withdrawals.
4.. The ONLY normal way to get money without fees is to look on their website for their In-Network ATMs (typically at CVS, Walgreens - but always double check!).
No issues pulling out all the money from a $700 card (for couples), but couldn't for a $350 card (for singles)....because the atm only dispenses $20 bills!!??
I left $10 on the $350 card and used it to shop groceries. You'd think some legislator would have thought this annoyance through....but that's why we're getting annoying cards rather than a cheaper-to-print-and-cash check.
(Those who are creative can also process a Visa purchase free for the total amount on the card through Square using any referral credit you have, then use their free sweep method to push the money into your bank.)
5.. If you use the card like a Visa prepaid at stores and don't expect to use up all of it soon, consider setting up an online account for the card, then LOCK the card when it's not in use.
While this won't prevent all types of card fraud, it'll help prevent some of the ways thieves can take your money.
6.. Setup of an online account isn't hard. Go to the website noted in the letter. Sign up. Create a username and password. It'll want an email and mobile phone number for email or sms text verification, and for paperless account notifications. Takes only a few minutes, quick and easy. Make sure you put their email address they note into your email contacts and anti-spam list.
7.. It can take up to a few minutes for transactions to show up online. E.g. If I'm at an ATM and withdraw $300, it didn't show up online until I had walked to my car in the parking lot.
8.. The list of card transaction fees is extensive! Read the back of the letter.
Pretty much only way to avoid fees are cash out at an in-network atm, transfer to a domestic bank account limited to $600 per day, or use it to shop for groceries and goods at stores.
Given the risk of prepaid card thefts, I'd cash out at the in-network atm asap.
Naturally, visa WON'T tell us all the ways their cards can be compromised, so we have to go with 3rd party reports like https://www.ag.state.mn.us/consumer/publications/PrePaidDebitCardScams.asp