…… - 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 reimbursem*nt 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)

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…… - Question about a card I received 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. You can order one free credit report every 12 months through www.annualcreditreport.com or by calling (877) 322-8228.

What happens if I get an unsolicited debit card 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 to do if you receive a credit card you didn't apply for? ›

In case you get a card you did not sign up for, you should contact the issuer and ask it to close the account. Don't use the card if you don't want to be held responsible for it. You should also put in a complaint about the issuer with the CFPB if you want to alert the authorities.

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 get a debit card I didn't request? ›

Occasionally, a bank may issue a credit card in error. In such a case, you should direct the bank to close the account and remove any record of the account from your credit history. Receiving an unsolicited card also could mean that a third party has applied for the card after stealing your identity.

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 disbursem*nt of government benefits (such as Unemployment Insurance, Child Support, and Temporary Assistance to Needy Families).

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.

Can someone open a bank account in your name without you knowing? ›

In legitimate and secure banking environments, it is not supposed to be possible for someone to open a bank account in your name without your knowledge. Banks generally require several forms of identification, proof of address, and other verifications to open an account.

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

Credit card issuers may send you offers in the mail because they have identified you as part of their target audience for a certain card. They treat them as marketing material to persuade you to open a specific card.

Is the government sending debit cards? ›

The IRS continues to issue the third round of Economic Impact Payments to eligible individuals, with payments being issued as a direct deposit or by mail as a paper check or prepaid EIP debit 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.

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.

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 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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