The U.S. Treasury Department has announced that Social Security benefits payments will be directly deposited into bank accounts and onto debit cards.

The paperless system goes into effect March 1 and is designed to aid the federal government in saving money, according to the Ohio News Connection.

Recipients will still receive checks in the mail after March 1, said Cristina Martin Firvida with AARP’s Government Affairs Division. But recipients are being urged to set up a bank or credit union account to accept deposits.

It can be done at www.godirect.org or by calling the U.S. Treasury Department at (800) 333-1795.

AARP is warning people that with any change, a scam is possible. Firvida said no one from the Social Security Administration is going to ask for personal information via phone or email, and recipients should be wary of such requests.