Thursday, October 21, 2010

A Look at the Terms of Five Prepaid Debit Cards

Image representing Associated Press as depicte...Image via CrunchBase
(10-03) 21:01 PDT , (AP) --
The prepaid card industry is relatively young, and the fees issuers can charge are unregulated. As a result consumers will find that terms and prices vary greatly.
Unlike gift cards, it's possible to register a prepaid card and have one issued bearing an individual's name. They can also be used wherever credit or debit cards are accepted.
Prepaid cards are typically used by people who don't have, or can't get, a credit or debit card. The cards are sold in drugstores and marketed online.
Here's a look at three cards and some of the fees associated with each. The ATM withdrawal fees do not include the fees charged by the ATM operator.

Baby Phat Rush Card Visa Debit 

    * Card to card transfers between RushCard members
    * Free Prescription Discount Card from RushCard - save up to 85% on prescriptions
    * Free customer service 24/7
    * No monthly fees and no hidden fees
    * This is a debit card, not a credit card;                   
Opening Min
            $1.00
App Fee
            N/A
Annual Fee
            N/A
Atm Fee
            $1.95
Credit Reporting
            None
Bank Account to Card Reload
            Free
One-time Activation Fee
            $19.95
Direct Deposit Reload
            Free
Purchase at Merchant (The $1.00 retail purchase fee and the $1.00 online purchase fee are capped at $10.00 per month for any combination of the two.)
            $1.00
Purchase Online (The $1.00 retail purchase fee and the $1.00 online purchase fee are capped at $10.00 per month for any combination of the two.)
            $1.00
Telephone Purchase
            $1.00
ATM Withdrawal
            $1.95
ATM Balance Inquiry
            $0.50
Point Of Sale Withdrawal
           
Live Teller Withdrawal
           
Online Balance Inquiry
            Free
Customer Service Live Call
            Free
Paper Statements per request
            $1.00
Cancel Card
           
Replacement Card
            $9.95
Monthly Maintenance Fee
            None

Account Now Visa Debit Card
Get Your Account Now Prepaid Debit Visa Today at: www.AccountNow.com

* $25 cash bonus when you use direct deposit
    * 100% guaranteed approval*
    * Free credit builder and bill pay
    * $0 Activation Fee
    * This is a debit card, not a credit card;
Opening Min
            $0
App Fee
            $0
Annual Fee
            N/A
Atm Fee
            $2.50
Credit Reporting
            None
Card Activation Fee
            $0
Online Bill Pay
            Free
Direct Deposit Reload
            Free
Signature Purchase
            Free
PIN Purchase - Premium Plan
            Free
PIN Purchase - Classic Plan
            $1.00
ATM Withdrawal
            One free per month - $2.50 each thereafter
Point of Sale Withdrawal
            Free
Live Teller Withdrawal
            $4.95
ATM Balance Inquiry
            $1.00
Online Inquiry
            Free
Automated Telephone Inquiry
            Up to $0.50
Customer Service Live Call
            One free per month - $2.00 each thereafter
Online Customer Service
            Free
Paper Statements per request
            $2.95
Replace Card
            $10.00
Cancel Card
            Free
Inactive Account Monthly Maintenance Fee
            $4.95

 Silver Prepaid Mastercard Debit Card
* Get your government/benefits check faster w/ free direct deposit
    * Guaranteed approval w/ no credit check!
    * Free unlimited purchase transactions
    * No overdraft fees or minimum balances, perfect bank alternative!
    * This is a debit card, not a credit card;                 
 Opening Min
            $0
App Fee
            $0
Annual Fee
            $0
Atm Fee
            $1.95
Credit Reporting
            None
Activation Fee (One-time)
            $0 with mail in rebate
Signature Transaction Fee
            Free
Automated Voice Response Fee
            Free
Purchase Online
            Free
SMS Email Alerts
            Free
ATM Balance Inquiry Fee
            $0.95
Online Monthly Statement
            Free
Online Account Maintenance
            Free
Live Agent Service Fee
            $1.95
Load Convenience Fee with Direct Deposit
            Free
Load Convenience Fee (retail)
            $0.95
Monthly Maintenance Fee
            $3.95


NetSpend Silver Mastercard Debit Card
Get Your NetSpend Silver Card Today at: www.netspend.com 

Pay-As-You-Go Customers (Best Option)
Signature Purchase Convenience Fee $1.00
PIN Purchase Convenience Fee $2.00
Card Fulfillment (Shipping & Handling) FREE
Fee Advantage Customers If you use your card more than 10 times a month)
Monthly Service Fee $9.95, billed on cardholder's cycle date
Signature Purchase Convenience Fee FREE
PIN Purchase Convenience Fee FREE
Card Fulfillment (Shipping & Handling) FREE
Other Fees
Adding or withdrawing funds to your account at local distributors Convenience fee determined by distributor
Account-to-Account Transfer — Via Internet FREE
Account-to-Account Transfer — Via Toll Free Number $1.00
Account-to-Account Transfer — Via Live Agent $4.95
Non-Monetary Transactions -- Via Internet FREE
Non-Monetary Transactions -- Via Toll Free Number Up to $0.50
Non-Monetary Transactions -- at ATM Up to $0.50
Account Maintenance (waived if account has debit or credit transaction and/or balance inquiry within 90 days) $5.95 per month
Check or Additional Statement Mailing Fee $5.95
Domestic ATM Cash Withdrawal / Cash Withdrawal at Distributor Up to $2.50 per withdrawal, plus ATM owner fees, if any
ATM Transaction Decline Fee $1.00
International ATM Cash Withdrawal $4.95 per withdrawal plus ATM owner fees, if any
Lost or Stolen Card Replacement Fee Up to $9.95


Vision Premier Visa Debit Card

Get Your Vision Premier Visa Debit Card Today at: www.securecardsignup.com


* Need your cash fast w/ our free direct deposit get paid faster
    * No credit check, no debit, no interest
    * Free customer service, that includes live agent and automated service!
    * Free unlimited signature and PIN transactions
    * This is a debit card, not a credit card;            
Opening Min
            $0
App Fee
            $0
Annual Fee
            $0
Atm Fee
            $1.95
Credit Reporting
            None
Activation Fee (One-time)
            $9.95
Signature Transaction Fee
            Free
Automated Voice Response Fee
            Free
Purchase Online
            Free
SMS Email Alerts
            Free
ATM Balance Inquiry Fee
            $0.95
Online Monthly Statement
            Free
Online Account Maintenance
            Free
Live Agent Service Fee
            $1.95
Load Convenience Fee with Direct Deposit
            Free
Load Convenience Fee (PreCash or PayPal)
            Free
Weekly Maintenance Fee w/ Direct Deposit
            Free
Weekly Maint. Fee w/ 15 or More Transactions a Month
            Free
Weekly Maint. Fee without Direct Deposit or more than 15 Trans.
            $0.95


















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