…… - Question about a card I received in the mail (2024)

Sherrynboo

Veteran Member
  • Oct 21, 2022
  • #1

Yesterday I received a prepaid Mastercard from Aetna who is my medicare provider. Under my name on the card it says integration test. I called the number on the card to find out what it meant and the jackass that answered said it was just extra words printed on the card! WTF?? Just higgledy piggledy throw extra words on a card?? I can only assume this is some kind of Covid relief funds that they needed to disperse but that integration test concerns me.

nomifyle

TB Fanatic
  • Oct 21, 2022
  • #2

Burn it, take nothing for granted.

raven

TB Fanatic
  • Oct 21, 2022
  • #3

If it is a "prepaid" card, find out if there is any money on it.
or you may receive a tax form that says you owe income tax on it.

Macgyver

Has No Life - Lives on TB
  • Oct 21, 2022
  • #4

raven said:

If it is a "prepaid" card, find out if there is any money on it.
or you may receive a tax form that says you owe income tax on it.

Spend it. No proof you ever got it because no Id is required to spend it.

Sherrynboo

Veteran Member
  • Oct 21, 2022
  • #5

It is a $500 prepaid card to be used on groceries or utilities. The food stamp recipients in GA got something similar from what I have heard. I still think it is covid relief money that the state has to spend.

raven

TB Fanatic
  • Oct 21, 2022
  • #6

Read the literature.
It must have "activation" and if it is a card, a means to make payment.
Usually, is a website. Credit card website.
Register, login, and see if there is money on it.
Read the terms and conditions. Payment dates. Interest rates, etc.

and then cancel it . . . after you have taken the money and run

raven

TB Fanatic
  • Oct 21, 2022
  • #7

Sherrynboo said:

It is a $500 prepaid card to be used on groceries or utilities. The food stamp recipients in GA got something similar from what I have heard. I still think it is covid relief money that the state has to spend.

that is likely to be $500 income that you will have to pay taxes on in April.
don't throw it away

B

Border Collie Dad

Flat Earther
  • Oct 21, 2022
  • #8

raven said:

that is likely to be $500 income that you will have to pay taxes on in April.
don't throw it away

No

N

night driver

ESFP adrift in INTJ sea
  • Oct 21, 2022
  • #9

There is some REAL funny schtuff floating around about taxes and refunds and stuff, which SOUNDS like they took taxes on non-taxable funds. PM or wait until 20guage pops up and ask him.

Sherrynboo

Veteran Member
  • Oct 21, 2022
  • #10

My main concern is what an integration test is!

Sherrynboo

Veteran Member
  • Oct 21, 2022
  • #12

Thank you Medic!

ShadowMan

Designated Grumpy Old Fart
  • Oct 21, 2022
  • #13

"integration" into what?

Integration - definition of integration by The Free Dictionary

integration ( ˌɪntɪˈɡreɪʃən) n 1. the act of combining or adding parts to make a unified whole 2. (Government, Politics & Diplomacy) the act of amalgamating a racial or religious group with an existing community 3. (Government, Politics & Diplomacy) the combination of previously racially segregated social facilities into a nonsegregated system 4.

J

John Deere Girl

Veteran Member
  • Oct 21, 2022
  • #14

Sherrynboo said:

It is a $500 prepaid card to be used on groceries or utilities. The food stamp recipients in GA got something similar from what I have heard. I still think it is covid relief money that the state has to spend.

Some of the Medicare plans give these cards as part of their plan regardless of income.

Kris Gandillon

The Other Curmudgeon

_______________

  • Oct 21, 2022
  • #15

Sherrynboo said:

Yesterday I received a prepaid Mastercard from Aetna who is my medicare provider. Under my name on the card it says integration test. I called the number on the card to find out what it meant and the jackass that answered said it was just extra words printed on the card! WTF?? Just higgledy piggledy throw extra words on a card?? I can only assume this is some kind of Covid relief funds that they needed to disperse but that integration test concerns me.

Someone forgot to clear the comment field used to identify cards created for integration testing before they released the card art to production to generate the real cards. Nothing nefarious, just a normal human error.

During testing, we create cards with names on them like Donald Duck and Attila the Hun and the comment field can designate whatever type of testing we are doing at that point.

Last edited:

D

Deena in GA

Administrator

_______________

  • Oct 21, 2022
  • #16

Since the integration wording apparently doesn’t mean anything, I’ll just say you received a very nice surprise! Maybe I need to look into some of the supplemental Medicare policies.

tnphil

Don't screw with an engineer
  • Oct 21, 2022
  • #17

TANSTAAFL.

Sherrynboo

Veteran Member
  • Oct 22, 2022
  • #18

Thank you Kris! You put my paranoia back in the closet for now …… - Question about a card I received in the mail (17)

db cooper

Resident Secret Squirrel
  • Oct 22, 2022
  • #19

Macgyver said:

Spend it. No proof you ever got it because no Id is required to spend it.

Well, may yes, maybe no. I have a debit card that the VA uses to put money into as reimbursement for travel costs. To use it like a credit card, I need to use the PIN. To transfer the card balance to our checking account, I need to show an ID. The bank clerk, that knows exactly who I am, said the showing of an ID for such credit cards is a must.

Sherrynboo's card, read the accompanying literature. It should spell out what it is. If there is a website associated with it, read it.

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…… - Question about a card I received in the mail (2024)

FAQs

…… - Question about a card I received in the mail? ›

If you receive a debit/credit card that you didn't apply for from a bank that you don't bank with, call the card's bank immediately. The bank will be able to clarify why you received the card or tell you if it's a scam. Do NOT use the contact numbers provided in the mail with the card.

What if I received a random debit card in the mail? ›

Receiving an unsolicited card could mean:
  1. The bank issued the card in error.
  2. A third party has applied for the card after stealing your identity.
  3. It's a common scam, often referred to as “phishing,” to steal your account information.
Oct 5, 2023

Why did I get a found card in the mail? ›

Receiving an unsolicited card also could mean that a third party has applied for the card after stealing your identity. If you suspect identity theft, you should order a copy of your credit report.

What to do if you receive a credit card you didn't apply for? ›

Call the credit card issuer

If you get a credit card in the mail you didn't apply for, call the company right away. Tell them you don't want the card, and to cancel the account. Ask them not to report the account to the credit reporting agencies.

Why did I get a go-to bank card in the mail? ›

We sent this offer because you've used one of our banking products in the past OR you opted in to receive marketing from one of our trusted third-party partners. No one filled out an application on your behalf, no credit check was performed and no account has been opened in your name.

Why did I receive a debit card I didn't apply for? ›

If you receive a debit/credit card that you didn't apply for from a bank that you don't bank with, call the card's bank immediately. The bank will be able to clarify why you received the card or tell you if it's a scam. Do NOT use the contact numbers provided in the mail with the card.

Why did I receive a debit card from the government? ›

What are Government Payment Cards? They are prepaid debit cards provided by the government for disbursement of government benefits (such as Unemployment Insurance, Child Support, and Temporary Assistance to Needy Families).

What to do if I found a debit card? ›

If you've picked up a bank card with an institution you recognize and you happen to be super close to a branch, you can take the card there and turn it into a teller. The branch will reach out to the person who lost their card and let them know it has been turned in.

What does the stimulus card look like in the mail? ›

The debit cards come in white envelopes with a Treasury Department seal. The cards have a Visa logo on the front and they've been issued by MetaBank, which is displayed on the back. The IRS said just because you received a check or a debit card the first time, does't mean you'll get payment in the same form this time.

How do you report a found debit card? ›

Call the number on the card and tell the issuing bank you've found it. Sometimes they'll tell you to destroy it, other times they'll ask you to hand it in somewhere. Either way, the important thing is that the bank knows it's not stolen and they can alert the person whose card it is.

How can I find out if someone opened an account in my name? ›

The best way to know if someone has opened a bank account with your credentials is to request two reports from ChexSystems: your consumer disclosure and your consumer score. These can give you an idea of any negative marks against your name in the banking industry.

What if someone opens a credit card in your name? ›

Act as fast as possible. Contact the credit card company to close or freeze the fraudulent account, file reports with the FTC and local police, and dispute the account with the credit bureaus to ensure the activity does not impact your credit scores.

How do you stop someone from opening accounts in your name? ›

Activate a credit freeze or extended fraud alert

As an alternative, you can also set up a credit freeze with each of the credit bureaus, which will prevent anyone from opening new accounts in your name until you personally take steps to “unfreeze” your reports.

Why did I randomly get a credit card in the mail? ›

Sometimes, when you get credit cards in the mail that you haven't applied for, those are credit card offers—not actual, usable cards. You have to submit an application and be approved for credit before you get access to a functioning card.

Can the bank track where your card is? ›

A common misconception among users is that their bank can locate a missing card. While you should contact your bank's customer support as soon as you notice your card is missing, note that they can only locate the merchant the last payment was made to, not the card itself.

How did a scammer get my debit card? ›

Debit card fraud can happen in several ways, such as stealing card information, skimming devices, hacking the internet, or making unauthorized transactions. Therefore, it is crucial to take precautions. Also, if you notice any unauthorized activity, report it immediately to your bank or card issuer.

Can a bank issue an unsolicited debit card? ›

1. Compliance. A financial institution may issue an unsolicited access device (such as the combination of a debit card and PIN) if the institution's ATM system has been programmed not to accept the access device until after the consumer requests and the institution validates the device.

Can someone steal my identity with my debit card? ›

If you don't have proper security measures in place and the criminal obtains your debit card information, they can use it for fraudulent online or over-the-phone transactions. These types of transactions don't require a PIN or signature, making the criminal's job easier.

Do banks mail debit cards? ›

If you open a new account in a branch, the bank may provide a temporary card in the branch and then mail the debit card to you. The card and the PIN will arrive separately in the mail. After you receive your debit card, you will need to activate your debit card before you can use it.

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