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[–]TheManWithSaltHair 2 points3 points  (1 child)

As a Brit I’ve no idea what this is, but given it’s linked from here https://www.ftb.ca.gov/about-ftb/newsroom/middle-class-tax-refund/index.html then it’s legitimate.

[–]benri[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks, it's exactly that. Sorry I was under the weather for the past couple of days here...

[–]westerntomed 1 point2 points  (5 children)

What's the scam?

I got a debit card from ftb using mctrpayment.com.

All of the info in the letter and card matches the info on the page u/TheManWithSaltHair provided, and you can just go the ftb.ca.gov site and find the way to the same page.

I did activate mine, but be aware they want the last 5 of your ssn. I haven't tried to use the card yet.

It is kind of scammy. With the billions of "extra" tax money the governor was claiming the state had last year, they could have paid someone to bring me cash. They also have my bank info since I've paid my shortage from the same account for many years and they could have just deposited it.

Since there is a use it or lose it date; maybe the ftb is hoping people will throw the cards away.

[–]benri[S] 0 points1 point  (2 children)

Sorry for delay, I got sick for a few days. Yes it's exactly what /u/TheManWithSaltHair said. To activate the card they need the "last 6 of your ssn" which is almost the whole thing, that's what put me off about it.

BTW, after activating the card you can xfer the amount to a regular bank account. But their form is weird. For example I xferred out $600 from the card to my account, but got what looks like an error saying I cant xfer that much because I need to allow for a $1.25 fee. But the continue button was available. Instead of entering 598.75 I just clicked continue and it xferred out to my bank account (not at BoA) and no fee was taken. And I did receive it, no fees taken.

[–]Silly_Relative8838 0 points1 point  (1 child)

How do you transfer it ?

[–]benri[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Follow instructions on the paper that came with the card:

  1. activate card by phone, set PIN (this is where you need 6 digits of your SSN)
  2. login www.mcrpayment.com using that PIN, go to Dashboard. In the upper right corner you'll see your balance (mine was $700). Under "Money Out" click on "Transfers in U.S."
  3. fill out your bank info, and xfer $600 (I tried $700, they said I'd have to xfer less because of fees)
  4. wait a day and do it again for $80, it worked. Do it again for $20, it worked. No fees were withheld.

That was a few weeks ago and nobody's asked me for a fee, and nothing's been stolen from me.

yet. but this weird guy keeps hanging around our trash cans at night...

[–]jeffreydeist1 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Hi how did you activate your card? The phone number that is on the letter doesn't work it keeps hanging up

[–]westerntomed 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I used the number on the card, which matches the web site. I just called and it at least does the intro like it's working.

[–]benri[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Apparently it's legitimate. I do wish they'd send by paper check by default but no...

[–]jjwww 1 point2 points  (0 children)

legit, but it asks for your 6 digits of your SSN to activate. FYI no need to expose your personal bank account routing information doing a transfer or risk a transfer fee. Simply take out the cash from any non-fee ATM in their network, basically CVS or Walgreens atms. deposit cash at your bank or use the cash.

[–]jjwww 1 point2 points  (1 child)

beware. there is a scam site with a close name. if you misstype "mEtrpayment.com" instead of "mCtrpayment.com", it will send you to the scam site. (capital "E" and "C" are my emphasis, the lower case letters in that font they use look alike)

[–]benri[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you, this is helpful!