How It Works
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How to activate your card
Visa Reloadable Prepaid cards must be activated before use. Follow the activation instructions provided with your card. Sign the back of any prepaid card before using it for the first time to help ensure that it cannot be used by anyone else.
How to use your card
Be sure to know your card balance before you shop as most merchants can not determine it for you. At the time of purchase, give the card to the cashier and ask to sign the purchase receipt. Or, swipe the card through the keypad and push the “credit” button, then sign the receipt. Each time you use your card, the purchase amount is automatically deducted from your card.
To get cash back when making a purchase, swipe your card and choose the "debit" button, then select the cash back amount you want from the screen options, enter your PIN, and take your cash and receipt to keep track of your balance.
To get cash at the ATM, insert your card into the machine and enter your PIN. Select "checking" to make a withdrawal and enter the amount of cash you want to withdraw. Then take your cash, card, and receipt to keep track of your balance.
How to check your balance
You can check your balance at your provider's web site or by calling them directly. Since a merchant may not be able to tell how much money is on the card, keeping track of your balance is a sure way to know how much you have to spend.
The provider issuing your card may also allow you to check your balance at ATMs or other locations. Contact your specific provider to learn about the balance-checking options they offer and any fees that might apply.
When the purchase amount is greater than your balance
To make a purchase greater than the balance on your card, you will need to use a second form of payment—cash, check, or credit card—to cover the difference. When making your purchase, tell the cashier in advance how much to deduct from your Visa Reloadable Prepaid card and how much you will pay with the second payment method. However, not all merchants can handle these “split tender” transactions; and, if you try to purchase an item of greater value than your card balance, your card will be declined.
Returning items
Present the Visa Reloadable Prepaid card you used to make the purchase at the time of a merchandise return. If the merchant’s return policy allows it, the merchant will credit the amount of the purchase back onto your card. Remember to save your purchase receipts and your card even after the funds have been depleted and you don’t plan to reload the card, in case you have merchandise returns.
When returning an item purchased online, have your card number available in order to process the return. The merchandise value will be credited back to your card within three to seven business days.
