Is the privacy information of Californians, who received their inflation relief payments by debit card, being sold for marketing purposes?The pre-paid debit card is one of two ways that the payments, officially called the Middle Class Tax Refund, are getting to people. The other method is via direct deposit. (Click here for an overview of who qualifies for which payment.)A viewer reached out to KCRA 3 concerned that their personal information would be used for marketing purposes after reading the privacy notice that came with the card.Background information on the debit cardsThe state of California is using debit cards contracted out to Money Network Financial.My Banking Direct, a service of New York Community Bank, issues the debit cards.Privacy noticeInside the envelope that comes with the pre-paid debit card is a privacy notice.The notice states “For our marketing purposes — to offer our products and services to you,” your personal information will be shared, and “For joint marketing with other financial companies,” your personal information will be shared.The details on the privacy notice contradict what is on the company’s website, which states, “Your personal information will not be shared for marketing purposes.”What is the truth? Will your private information be shared or not?According to California’s Franchise Tax Board, their contract with Money Network does not permit your personal information to be used for marketing.KCRA 3 Investigates obtained a copy of the contract to verify this information.The contract also doesn’t allow for the use of taxpayer information for any reason other than the debit card.Why does the privacy notice contradict the company’s website?We sent an email to the company to ask why the privacy notice inserted with the pre-paid debit card doesn’t match what the website states, and we didn’t get an answer, but California officials told us that the insert is standard and used for all of the bank’s businesses and clients.The bottom line, the privacy notice doesn’t apply to the Middle Class Tax Refund. It’s just a “standard” form.After our inquiry about the confusion this can cause, California officials told KCRA 3 News, it has “communicated this concern with the vendor.”Why were debit cards chosen instead of checks?The Franchise Tax Board determined an experienced debit card vendor could deliver the large volume of mailed MCTR payments, estimated at around 10 million, nearly six months faster than state checks could be issued. Taxpayers with MCTR questions can call 800-542-9332 or find answers to their questions by visiting MCTRpayment.com.
Is the privacy information of Californians, who received their inflation relief payments by debit card, being sold for marketing purposes?
The pre-paid debit card is one of two ways that the payments, officially called the Middle Class Tax Refund, are getting to people. The other method is via direct deposit. (Click here for an overview of who qualifies for which payment.)
A viewer reached out to KCRA 3 concerned that their personal information would be used for marketing purposes after reading the privacy notice that came with the card.
Background information on the debit cards
The state of California is using debit cards contracted out to Money Network Financial.
My Banking Direct, a service of New York Community Bank, issues the debit cards.
Privacy notice
Inside the envelope that comes with the pre-paid debit card is a privacy notice.
The notice states “For our marketing purposes — to offer our products and services to you,” your personal information will be shared, and “For joint marketing with other financial companies,” your personal information will be shared.
The details on the privacy notice contradict what is on the company’s website, which states, “Your personal information will not be shared for marketing purposes.”
What is the truth? Will your private information be shared or not?
According to California’s Franchise Tax Board, their contract with Money Network does not permit your personal information to be used for marketing.
KCRA 3 Investigates obtained a copy of the contract to verify this information.
The contract also doesn’t allow for the use of taxpayer information for any reason other than the debit card.
Why does the privacy notice contradict the company’s website?
We sent an email to the company to ask why the privacy notice inserted with the pre-paid debit card doesn’t match what the website states, and we didn’t get an answer, but California officials told us that the insert is standard and used for all of the bank’s businesses and clients.
The bottom line, the privacy notice doesn’t apply to the Middle Class Tax Refund. It’s just a “standard” form.
After our inquiry about the confusion this can cause, California officials told KCRA 3 News, it has “communicated this concern with the vendor.”
Why were debit cards chosen instead of checks?
The Franchise Tax Board determined an experienced debit card vendor could deliver the large volume of mailed MCTR payments, estimated at around 10 million, nearly six months faster than state checks could be issued.
Taxpayers with MCTR questions can call 800-542-9332 or find answers to their questions by visiting MCTRpayment.com.
