Four million Americans, including may people in North Dakota, are receiving their economic impact payment using debit cards from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Many people are questioning the legitimacy of these cards. Some people have even thrown away the cards thinking they were a scam.

These debit cards are legitimate and being sent to those people who don’t have a financial institution on file with the IRS. The economic impact payment is loaded on the debit card.

Part of the problem is that the debit card arrives in a plain envelope from “Money Network Cardholder Services.” The card also requires part of your Social Security number to activate, which has also raised red flags among recipients.

But don’t let your guard down when it comes to detecting scams. These debit cards offer scammers a new opportunity, including copycat cards that may be sent out in the days ahead along with attempts to capture your personal financial information.

The letter accompanying the card tells recipients they will need to call the phone number and register the card with a PIN and their Social Security number. Be very careful that you call the correct phone number and do not use a number you find by an Internet search. Scammers place fake customer service phone numbers to deceive people into calling them instead.

Also, do not give your PIN, debit card number or Social Security number to anyone that calls, emails or texts you asking to verify the receipt of your card. It’s a scam. Make sure to fully read the terms and conditions included in the card to understand how it will operate and where you can use it for transactions.

You can find information on these debit cards online at www.eipcard.com.

Volunteer Award Nominations Open

AARP North Dakota is seeking nominations for its Andrus Award for Community Service – its most prestigious volunteer award.

Nominations will be evaluated based on how the volunteer’s work has improved the community and inspired others to volunteer. The award recipient will be announced in early fall.

Nominees must be 50 years or older and the achievements, accomplishments, or service on which the nomination is based must have been performed on a volunteer basis, without pay, and reflect AARP’s vision and purpose, and be replicable. Couples or partners who perform service together are eligible; however, teams are not eligible. Nominees do not have to be AARP members.

The award recipient will be able to designate a nonprofit organization to which $500 will be donated in the award recipient’s name.

The nomination deadline is July 15. Submit nominations online at www.aarp.org/andrusaward, where you will also find more information and complete eligibility requirements.

The AARP Andrus Award for Community Service is an annual awards program developed to honor individuals whose service is a unique and valuable contribution to society. Last year, AARP recognized 50 outstanding individuals and couples from around the country.