MARTINEZ, Calif. (KGO) — Eleven million Californians are getting inflation relief debit cards in the mail right now. As 7 On Your Side has reported, many thought the cards were a scam, but they’re loaded with money from the Middle Class Tax Refund. And now, a concern: scammers want that money too.
Right now the state is handing out billions of dollars to millions of households. And scammers know it. The debit card contract with Money Network called for putting security chips on those cards. But did that ever happen?
Byron Foreman of Martinez was happy to get this $700 debit card from the state for inflation relief.
“I was amazed. I couldn’t believe it,” he said.
Then a scammer managed to swipe more than half of the money.
7 ON YOUR SIDE FAQ: Here are the most frequently asked Middle Class Tax Refund questions
“It was very disheartening,” Foreman said.
It happened after Foreman went to his ATM in Martinez and withdrew $300 dollars off of the card.
All good — until the very next day when he tried to withdraw the rest of the money.
“And it says, ‘No funds available,'” he said.
The money was gone. Foreman checked the account. It showed someone went to an ATM in San Leandro and drained the rest of the $393 dollars.
“So that left only a $1.50 left on the card,” he said.
Right away Foreman filed a claim with the debit card provider, Money Network, which agreed to refund his money and put it on a new card.
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