You'd think it would be easy to give away billions of dollars for disaster relief, but millions of Californians still haven't taken their share.
The California Middle Class Tax Refund debit cards will expire on April 30, and yet roughly $600 million is still left unused on about five million cards. Viewers have been flooding our 7 On Your Side inbox with pleas for help to get money off their cards or find out why they never got one.
, the contractor that is disbursing the state funds to California taxpayers, has so far not resolved more than 150 cases 7 On Your Side brought to its attention. Viewers have said they've run into a range of roadblocks to getting their funds. Money Network has simplified the automated phone system, so cardholders should be able to unlock their funds. Those with missing payments should be able to find out whether they have money coming.says Money Network deactivated many cards that were left unused for 120 days or more, so they will need to have the card reactivated.Here is what to do to resolve some of the most common issues with the Middle Class Tax Refund cards.IF YOUR CARD GETS DECLINED TRYING TO MAKE A PURCHASE, OR WITHDRAW FUNDS AT AN ATM OR BANK:You will have to enter the last six digits of your Social Security number and your ZIP code. Alternatively, if you know your card number and PIN, select Option 1 to get to the customer service menu. That menu will give you options including electing to receive a check in the mail for your refund, or have your money transferred to a bank account. To speak to an operator, select Option 0. NOTE: the office closes at 5 p.m. Pacific Time, so Option 0 is not available after that time.Threw out your card by mistakeCall Money Network at 1-800-240-0223 and select Option 3 for "Help with replacement, lost or stolen card." You will have to enter the last six digits of your Social Security number and your ZIP code.You may be asked to answer a series of ID verification questions such as identifying addresses you have been associated with.IF MONEY NETWORK'S AUTOMATED SYSTEM SAYS THERE IS NO ACCOUNT ASSOCIATED WITH YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER...Also, the Franchise Tax Board states many Californians may not realize a refund was directly deposited into their bank accounts, so check your bank records. About 7 million Californians who receive their tax refunds via direct deposit would have received their Middle Class Tax Refund direct-deposited into their bank accounts -- not by debit card. Therefore, Money Network would not have an account in their name. Most of those deposits showed up in taxpayer accounts between October 2022 and February 2023. They all would be listed as "FTB MCT REFUND MCT REFUND." The California Franchise Tax Board told 7 On Your Side: "We encourage everyone to double-check their bank account for a payment from 'FTB MCT REFUND MCT REFUND' as the depositor." They also note that "eligibility for a MCTR payment was determined based on the taxpayer's 2020 tax return filed." FTB also stated: "We are not aware of any major issues with Money Network customer service. Customers can access their accounts through Money Network's phone line and receive answers and, if necessary, live agent support. In the past week, the vendor updated the choices on its customer service line for ease of access to the various options."earn enough money to pay state taxes in 2020 were not eligible for this refund. Many seniors on Social Security did not receive a refund.7OYS's consumer hotline is a free consumer mediation service for those in the San Francisco Bay Area. We assist individuals with consumer-related issues; we cannot assist on cases between businesses, or cases involving family law, criminal matters, landlord/tenant disputes, labor issues, or medical issues.. As a part of our process in assisting you, it is necessary that we contact the company / agency you are writing about. If you do not wish us to contact them, please let us know right away, as it will affect our ability to work on your case. If we are able to assist, we will reach back out to you.
Money Network Inflation Relief Stimulus Pandemic Bank Debit Cards Scams Junk Mail Taxes Tax 7 On Your Side 7Oys Sierra Stephanie Sierra Consumer 18929141
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