Millions of debit cards that the state or California gave consumers in 2022 are set to expire April 30, with hundreds of millions of dollars still loaded on them, state records show.  But even if you find your Middle Class Tax Refund card and try to spend your forgotten balance before the deadli ne, you might face trouble. Sami Motaghedi did.  “I had faith in the card,” she said. Motaghedi said her dad got the MCTR card from the state in 2022. She says it initially worked in the grocery store. But then, he said it was declined — with $144 left on it.  “He’s like, ‘this card isn’t working,’ she said. “I’m like, ‘that’s impossible. It hasn’t expired yet.’ So, I went to use it, and it wasn’t working.”  Sami says she also tried at a nearby bank. “I said I’ll just withdraw the money. But they said, ‘we can’t access the funds.’” Motaghedi said the MCTR system said the card was deactivated. “Why would it be,” she asked. “Because it hasn’t expired yet.” But soon, it will expire. All California Middle Class Tax Refund cards will expire April 30th. Franchise tax board records show most cards still have money loaded on them. Only 43% a zero balance. Also, the FTB says 10% of cards have never even been activated. That’s 960,000 cards holding $400M that will go back to state lawmakers unless families claim their leftover MCTR balances fast.  “I can’t believe there are other people,” Motaghedi said with a laugh. “I thought it was just us.”  Sami wanted her family’s $144 slice of the pie. But it was stuck. She says she repeatedly called the state vendor that issued the cards, a company called Money Network. “Literally you just go in a circle, she said. “Over a year, I’ve been trying.”  Just recently, she contacted NBC. “Because I’ve seen you guys help other people. Why not me? I’m ‘people’ too,” she joked.   We called the customer service line together on a recent Sunday and got nowhere re-activating the card.  So, I sent Money Network’s corporate parent, Fiserv, a note. The company responded with a brief statement saying:  “Fiserv, through its indirect subsidiary, Money Network, is implementing the program changes in accordance with state of california requirements and the better for families act.” Sami said a rep called and told her, her family’s $144 was unfrozen and ready to spend. “If it weren’t for you, the money would just be gone,” she said.   Sami got her family’s money. If you’re having the same problem or you can’t remember if you got a card, the FTB told us you should call Money Network — with a caveat. Here’s the number: 800-240-0223. And there’s the caveat: The state said you’ve gotta call weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Sami was calling after work. No wonder she wasn’t getting through. The state said some cards are deactivated and/or funds are frozen due to fraud concerns. A telephone agent should be able to help, but only until April 30. So, check those junk drawers.  ...read more read less