According to Gail Cunningham, spokesperson for the National Foundation for Credit Counseling, we live in a credit-dominated society. "Without a checking or savings account," she says, "it's difficult to cash payroll, Social Security and unemployment checks; you need a credit or debit card to shop online, book a flight or rent a car; and you may be forced to carry large amounts of cash to pay your bills."
One increasingly common money management tool for people in this situation is prepaid cards. These cards look and work much like regular debit cards except that instead of funding them through a checking or savings account, you load money on the card by cash, check, funds transfer or direct deposit by an employer or government entity.
- You don't need a bank account or solid credit rating to obtain one.
- They start out with a zero balance until you add money. Purchases or ATM withdrawals will diminish the card's balance until it reaches zero and you discard it (as with gift cards) or you reload the card.
- Spending is limited to the amount loaded on the card, so you can't buy more than you have.
- If branded with a logo like Visa or MasterCard, they can be used anywhere that network is accepted.
- Cards can offer "Zero Liability" protection if you promptly report loss, theft or fraudulent charges.
- Most allow ATM cash withdrawals and online or phone purchases.
- They're safer to carry than large amounts of cash.
- Reloadable cards -- to which more money can later be added.
- Gift cards -- which can be used until their balance is depleted; gift cards are not reloadable.
- Teen cards -- where parents can reload the cards and monitor purchases online or by phone (allowing teens a chance to manage spending and budgeting in a controlled environment).
- Travel cards -- a safe alternative to cash and travelers checks.
- Payroll cards -- wages are loaded into the card's account for immediate access (similar to checking account direct deposit).
- Government agency-provided cards -- where benefits such as Social Security, unemployment and child support payments are loaded into your card account.
- Healthcare cards -- which allow you to access funds in your Flexible Spending Account or Health Savings Account at the point of service to pay for qualified medical expenses, thereby eliminating the need to pay cash up front and submit reimbursement forms.
Prepaid cards may come with fees and restrictions, so it's important to read the card's terms and conditions carefully and to shop around for the best deals. Good comparison sites include Bankrate.com and Creditcards.com.
- What identification do I need to buy this card?
- Where can I use it? (Certain retailers only? Online? Phone?)
- Can I later add funds to it (reload)? If so, how? For example, will it accept direct deposit of payroll or Social Security checks?
- Is there an expiration date?
- Will I receive monthly statements?
- Can I check balances by phone or online?
- What fees apply? Common fees include those for card activation, reloading funds, balance inquiries, ATM or bank withdrawals and declined transactions.
- What happens if it's lost or stolen?
Some people opt for prepaid cards because they can't qualify for credit cards due to poor or insufficient credit history. Unlike secured credit cards, which similarly require you to deposit money into an account to cover transactions, prepaid card activities typically aren't reported to the major credit bureaus, so using them will not improve your credit score.
To learn more about how prepaid cards work, you can order the free Prepaid Card Basics brochure at Practical Money Skills for Life, a free personal financial management program run by my employer, Visa Inc. And, for a more detailed discussion on gift cards, read my previous blog, Get the Most Out of Your Gift Cards.
Bottom line: Always make sure you fully understand the terms and conditions of any financial product or account before signing up.
This article is intended to provide general information and should not be considered legal, tax or financial advice. It's always a good idea to consult a legal, tax or financial advisor for specific information on how certain laws apply to you and about your individual financial situation.