REENTRY ESSENTIALS Prepaid Card Basics User Guide

REENTRY ESSENTIALS Prepaid Card Basics

Specifications:

• Product Name: Prepaid Card
• Usage: Make purchases, withdraw cash, receive funds, pay bills
• Types: Open Loop, Closed Loop, Reloadable, Gift Cards, Teen and Student Cards, Travel Cards, Payroll Cards, Government Cards
• Features: Reloadable, Liability Protection, Expiration Dates, Low Fees

Product Usage Instructions

What Are Prepaid Cards?
A prepaid card is a secure alternative to carrying cash and can be used for making purchases anywhere a debit card is accepted. It does not allow you to go into debt and is not linked to your bank account like a debit card.

Types of Prepaid Cards:

• Open Loop: Accepted wherever the network is honored.
• Closed Loop: Used exclusively at specific merchant locations.
• Reloadable Cards: Can be topped up with funds.
• Gift Cards: Non-reloadable cards suitable for gifting.
• Teen and Student Cards: Teach financial responsibility to teens and students.
• Travel Cards: Ideal for travel, providing card replacement and zero liability.
• Payroll Cards: Received from the employer for paycheck deposits.
• Government Cards: Used by government agencies for benefits payments.

Prepaid Card Features:

• Reloadable: Some cards allow you to add funds once the balance is zero.
• Liability Protection: Certain cards offer balance protection with a zero-liability policy.
• Expiration Dates: Check for monthly maintenance fees that may reduce the balance.
• Low Fees: Look out for activation fees and ATM withdrawal charges.

Protect Yourself and Your Money:

• Use the Card Carefully: Monitor your balance to avoid overspending and associated fees. Be aware of deposit amounts and timings.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):

• Q: Can I reload all types of prepaid cards?
  A: No, only reloadable prepaid cards can have funds added to them once the balance is depleted.

• Q: What should I do if my prepaid card is lost or stolen?
  A: Contact the card issuer immediately to report the loss or theft and request a replacement card or block the existing one to prevent unauthorized use.

• Q: Are there any restrictions on where I can use a prepaid card?
  A: Generally, you can use prepaid cards wherever debit cards are accepted, but it’s advisable to check with the card issuer for any specific limitations or restrictions.

What you should know about using prepaid cards.

What Are Prepaid Cards?

• A prepaid card can be loaded with funds to make purchases anywhere a debit card is accepted. It looks like a debit or credit card and is a safe alternative to carrying cash and paying check-cashing fees. They are a good option for traveling and are a popular gift-giving idea because they are widely accepted.
• Unlike credit cards, you cannot take on debt with a prepaid card, nor are prepaid cards linked to your bank account like debit cards. A prepaid card has a zero balance until money is added to it. When you make a purchase with a prepaid card, the amount is subtracted from the balance on the card. Once the balance reaches zero, the card is empty.

With Prepaid Cards, You Can:

• Make purchases in person, online or by phone
• Give gifts to friends and family
• Withdraw cash from an ATM or bank
• Receive wages or funds by direct deposit to the card Pay bills
• Once the card balance reaches zero, it can be thrown away unless it is a reloadable card

Types of Prepaid Cards

• Open Loop. An electronic payment network-branded card is honored wherever the network is accepted.
• Closed Loop. A card used for transactions exclusively at a particular merchant’s locations.
• Reloadable Cards. A prepaid card that you can add money to.
• Gift Cards. A non-reloadable card that can be given as a gift and used until the balance is zero.
• Teen and Student Cards. Parents can teach teens and students financial responsibility while monitoring their spending with these cards.
• Travel Cards. An alternative to cash and traveler’s checks, card replacement, and zero liability.
• Payroll Cards. A card is provided by your employer to receive your paycheck.
• Government Cards. Used by government agencies, they can pay certain benefits such as unemployment insurance.

Some prepaid cards can have money reloaded onto them so they can continue to be used. Others, such as gift cards, can be discarded when all of the funds are spent.

Prepaid Card Features

There are many prepaid cards out there, and choosing the right one is important. What features are most important to you?

• Reloadable
  Some prepaid cards allow you to add money once the balance reaches zero. Gift cards are not reloadable.

• Liability Protection
  Some prepaid cards will protect your balance in case zero-liability policy.

• Expiration Dates
  While many cards do not expire, some carry monthly maintenance fees, which can reduce your card balance. Prepaid cards are best for storing money you intend to spend in the short term.

• Low Fees
  Is there an activation fee charged when you set up the card? What are the fees charged for ATM withdrawals? Take note of any fees associated with the card you choose.

Protect Yourself and Your Money

Once you’ve chosen a prepaid card or received one, it’s up to you to keep your money safe.

• Use the Card Carefully
  Keep track of your balance so you don’t get charged a fee for trying to spend more than is available. If your wages or other benefits are deposited directly onto the card, make sure you know the amount and timing of the deposit.

• Keep Your PIN Secret
  Pick a number that’s hard for someone else to guess—not your birthday or address. Don’t tell it to anyone or write it where it could be easily found.

• Remember Important Info
  Make sure you know your card issuer’s policies for lost or stolen cards and keep your card number and the customer service phone number in a safe place at home.

• Act Quickly
  If your card is lost or stolen, let the card issuer know right away. Most card issuers will freeze the funds so the card can’t be used and send you a new card with your remaining balance on it.

Prepaid Card Resources

• To learn about prepaid card insurance coverage, visit the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation site at fdic.gov Or call 1-877-275-3342 (877-ASK-FDIC)
• To see frequently asked questions about prepaid cards, visit the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau website at consumerfinance.gov

This guide is one of a series on Essential Money Skills.

www.ReentryEssentials.org

References

• Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
• FDIC: Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
• Reentry Essentials, Inc. | Career, Life Skills and Reentry Resources

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