What Is “p.o. box 17316 salt lake city utah do not discard card enclosed september 2021”?
This crypticsounding address showed up on a lot of mailers in fall 2021. Typically, the envelope had a plain look but included the bold instruction: “Do Not Discard Card Enclosed.” Inside, recipients often found an officiallooking debit card or payment card from the IRS or Treasury Department.
No, it wasn’t junk mail. And no, it wasn’t a scam (at least, not in most reported cases).
This address was tied to governmentissued Economic Impact Payments (EIPs), better known as stimulus checks. Because not everyone could be reached by direct deposit, and paper checks are slow, the government partnered with MetaBank® to distribute some payments via prepaid debit cards.
The P.O. Box in Salt Lake City was part of the return mail hub for those cards, handling distribution and undeliverable items.
Why You Got That Card
If you were eligible for a thirdround stimulus payment and didn’t get it via direct deposit, you might’ve received a debit card by mail. The confusing part? The envelope didn’t scream IRS or U.S. Treasury. It just said something like “p.o. box 17316 salt lake city utah do not discard card enclosed september 2021.”
That’s hardly reassuring. And many people tossed it, thinking it was spam.
But that unassuming envelope could have included hundreds or even thousands of dollars in pandemic relief funds.
What To Do If You Discarded It
If you threw away your card (understandable), you weren’t alone. Many reported doing just that.
Here’s what you could do:
- Call EIP Card Customer Service – You could request a replacement.
- Go to eipcard.com – Useful for checking card balances or finding guidance.
- Watch for Fees – Some features on the card had usage fees, so read the instructions carefully.
The card could be used anywhere Visa debit cards were accepted, and you could even transfer funds to your personal bank account.
How to Know It Was Legit
Here were a few ways to verify that your card was real:
It came in a white envelope with “Economic Impact Payment Card” on it. The issuing bank was MetaBank®, not a flybynight institution. Included materials explained how the card worked and who it was for.
If the envelope said “p.o. box 17316 salt lake city utah do not discard card enclosed september 2021”, chances are it was the real deal—though the envelope design could’ve been, frankly, way better.
Don’t Ignore Strange Mail Without Checking
It’s easy to get sucked into the habit of tossing anything that smells off. That’s usually smart. But when it comes to envelopes mentioning the IRS, Treasury, or economic payments—even if they cleverly disguise themselves—it’s worth a second glance.
The p.o. box 17316 salt lake city utah do not discard card enclosed september 2021 envelope was a classic example of poor design for a very important message. Weirdly worded and extremely minimalist, it didn’t match the seriousness of the contents.
What This Means Now
That card likely doesn’t mean anything today unless you never activated or claimed it. If you suspect you missed out on a stimulus payment, the best path forward is:
- Check your IRS online account – It’ll show any payments issued to you.
- File a Recovery Rebate Credit – If you never received a payment, you might be able to claim it this way.
- Consult a tax pro – Especially if your situation is complicated.
While the p.o. box 17316 salt lake city utah do not discard card enclosed september 2021 was part of a legitimate government distribution effort, any new payments from the IRS will likely have clearer branding. Hopefully.
Bottom Line
If you ever see something from p.o. box 17316 salt lake city utah do not discard card enclosed september 2021, don’t treat it like everyday mail. It was part of the U.S. government’s way of sending out money fast—though clumsily. It’s a great reminder to pause and verify before tossing mystery envelopes in the trash.
Longstoryshort: past you might’ve thrown out cash. Future you won’t make the same mistake.
