Yes, they can freeze you green dot card if they can find it. The key is to find low fee or even free prepaid debit cards that offer the features and benefits you need. You can buy prepaid cards at most grocery and convenience stores, online and over the phone. Generally, yes. How will we know if we're fulfilling our mission? Once you have your list of required features and know how youll use the card, find the lowest cost option that meets these requirements. Monthly fee:$0ATM Fee:Free in-network,$2.50elsewhereReload fee:Free at Walmart, $3.95 at participating retailersCash reload limits:$20 to $1,999 once your card is activated; $1 to $500 for temporary cardsOther fees:No account inactivity or card replacement feesReload locations: Over 30,000. And for good reason. The prepaid card also offers real-time activity alerts, free card-to-card transfers for allowances and the ability to remotely lock lost cards. No cost to sign up and no monthly fees. After that, the fee is just $4.99 per month for a family with up to five children. Prepaid cards and reloadable debit cards dont build credit, but some earn rewards and come with other benefits, such as fraud protection and online debit card banking services. Many prepaid debit cards waive reload fees if the cardholder opts into direct payroll check deposits. Keep in mind, however, that the Target RedCard can only be used at Target stores and Target online. There is a monthly fee, but its as low as $2.50 a month, and its for the entire family. She has written and edited content on personal finance topics for more than five years. You can also take advantage of PayPal Payback Rewards and earn on qualifying purchases from select merchants. Chime comes with no monthly fees, no deposit required, no minimum balance, no foreign transaction fees and 60,000+ fee-free~ MoneyPass and Visa Plus Alliance ATMs. FamZoo is a family-friendly prepaid Mastercard that lets parents become virtual bankers for their kids, even those younger than 13. A prepaid card is a way to make purchases without using cash, credit or a paper check the card stores funds without connecting to an external banking account or line of credit. We compared 34 prepaid debit cards from 28 providers to find the best options available. aseptic technique ampoule; deaths in hardeman county tn; hydro dipping hertfordshire; trove gem calculator; abandoned places in orange county ny; buford's message to reynolds gettysburg 1863 The ACE Elite Visa Prepaid Debit Card lets you choose among its Pay As You Go Plan, a monthly plan, or a reduced monthly plan. Track transactions 24/7 with mobile app. Not to be confused with the free reload card, the Serve American Express Prepaid Debit Account helps you earn cash back for purchases you would be making anyway -- a true rarity for a prepaid card. , PNC SmartAccess Prepaid Visa Card, Regions Now Visa Prepaid Card. Funds transfer instantly, in case your kids are out with friends and need money in a pinch. To select our favorites, we gave preference to cards with low fees, multiple reload options, special perks and widespread availability. Still, there are many prepaid debit cards that charge outrageous fees, offer limited benefits, or both. ATMs inside Publix stores and at 7-Eleven ATMs listed on the bank's website or mobile app; $2.75 fee at other ATMs, plus any ATM operator fees. Parents can lock and unlock accounts. We value your privacy. Free withdrawals at Chase ATMs and free cash reload. Not reloadable. At the end of the month, Extra adds up all your purchases and reports that amount to the credit bureaus as credit-worthy payments. * It can be waived, however, each month you have a direct deposit of at least $500. However, you can use the card year-round. Jamela Adam is a personal finance writer covering topics such as savings, investing, mortgages, student loans, and more. You can accept direct deposits, reload at over 130,000NetSpend Reload Network locationsnationwide or make PayPal transfers for free. Multiple accounts under one plan, free and instant FamZoo card-to-card transfers, ability to lock and unlock FamZoo cards, budgeting tools. Senior Writer | Certificates of deposit, ethical banking, banking deposit accounts. approved or otherwise endorsed by the credit card advertisers. Its free. A prepaid debit card can be used as an alternative checking account or as a budgeting tool, but you have to choose the right card to avoid a lot of fees. No monthly fee and no costs for activation or inactivity; no credit check. 1. You could enable your children's spending with a prepaid debit card, while teaching them how to be responsible with money. American Express Serve FREE Reloads - Best for Cash Users. Pre-qualified offers are not binding. American Express Serve offers three prepaid debit card options. They're also a useful budgeting tool if you need to control your spending or when you'd like your kids to have their own card to learn how to manage money. Up to 5 subaccounts, no international ATM withdrawal fee. Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank. sonicwave 231c non responsive Uncovering hot babes since 1919.. best prepaid debit card to avoid garnishment. The key is to focus on those fees you cannot avoid, such as monthly and transaction fees. 3% cash back at Walmart.com and in the Walmart app and other cash back rewards. Prepaid card vs. debit cards. Bluebird, issued by American Express, offers more than the average prepaid debit card, and you can load and spend money without paying fees. A prepaid debit card is not linked to a bank account, so you can only spend as much as the available balance. Scroll down for more detail on each account. offer convenience and dont charge many fees. Funds never expire. Charges a $1.95 domestic ATM cash withdrawal fee. Message. (Retailers other than Walmart may charge up to $3.95.). We examined nearly 70 options to help you find the best prepaid debit cards. . 2023 Forbes Media LLC. Earn up to $75 cash back each year at Walmart. $7.95 monthly fee is waived if you spend more than $1,000 per month. He's written about personal finance and investing since 2007 and is the author of the highly acclaimed book, Retire Before Mom and Dad. If you find discrepancies with your credit score or information from your credit report, please contact TransUnion directly. Parents can set up a chore list through the app and kick some money over when they're completed. We analyzed four categories for each card: general fees and features, purchases and withdrawals, reload fees and options, and other services such as bill pay and savings accounts. Payments can be split across multiple accounts. See our list of the best savings accounts. And parents and teens can receive text alerts when certain transactions occur. It offers free direct deposit, cash loads at more than 130,000 locations, and a relatively low monthly fee. NerdWallet strives to keep its information accurate and up to date. Since these cards are linked to a savings or checking account, debt collectors can easily find this card in your credit report. Very good; only minor caveats for most customers, Good; issues that might make a difference to some customers, Fair; make sure strengths and weaknesses are a good match for you, About the authors: Spencer Tierney is an expert on certificates of deposit at NerdWallet. Information provided on Forbes Advisor is for educational purposes only. (888) 915-1973. ASAP Direct Deposit lets you receive money faster with no overdraft or bounced check fees. CNET editors independently choose every product and service we cover. Or set a tight budget by restricting your spending to no more than what you've loaded onto your card at the beginning of the month. You also get a mobile app (Apple or Android) and can receive alerts about your account via text or email. Skip ahead to read about these low-fee alternatives. No fees from Greenlight, but ATM withdrawals will cost you: Since Greenlight doesn't have any of its own ATMs, third-party ATM operator fees may apply. To help you sift through the options, weve compiled our top picks of the best reloadable prepaid debit cards. Generally, you can also use a prepaid debit card to withdraw cash from ATMs. But if its not a bank, where does your money go when you deposit it into a Chime account? It works with Apple Pay, and there are no transaction fees, foreign transaction fees or overdraft fees. Offers prepaid debit card with no minimum balance requirement. Most prepaid debit card issuers allow funds to be loaded and reloaded by direct deposit, cash or bank transfer. No monthly fee with balance over $1,000. Other prepayment plans also offer a discount. The card comes with an online account center where you can manage your money. Prepaid debit cards are traceable to an individual. Utilize card payments without needing to connect your bank account. Banking services and debit card provided by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. She owns and operates a small digital marketing and public relations firm that works with select startups and women-owned businesses to provide growth and visibility. General fees and features: No monthly fees and no costs for online activation or inactivity. The Walmart MoneyCard pays 3% cash back on purchases from walmart.com, 2% cash back Walmart fuel stations, and 1% cash back at Walmart stores, up to $75 a year in rewards.. Sells prepaid cards and gift cards. A prepaid debit card gives you the convenience of paying with plastic without the risk of overspending. Want to build your savings faster? Greenlight stands out for a feature that other prepaid cards lack: store-specific spending controls. Best for no monthly fees: Bluebird American Express Prepaid Debit Account. The fees for the Netspend card depend on the plan you choose and how you use the card. Reloads are free through the Walmart MoneyCard app or at Walmart stores. You could also incur an inactivity fee of $5.95 per month if you dont use the card for 90 days. American Express Serve Cash Back - Best turnaround time. Card must be linked to PayPal account. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products or services. FamZoo Prepaid Card: Best for parents (tie).. Most prepaid cards will provide some services of a traditional checking account -- you can usually set up direct deposits, pay bills or deposit checks on your phone. AccountNow offers Visa and MasterCard prepaid cards that let customers add money through a variety of ways and also directly deposit their paychecks into their accounts. Downsides: No free ATM network; maximum monthly fee is higher than average; no mobile check deposit feature. Our insurance content may include references to or advertisements by our corporate affiliate HomeInsurance.com LLC, a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 8781838). Our ratings take into account a product's rewards, fees, rates and other category-specific attributes. This compensation comes from two main sources. No checks or cash can be deposited; no free ATM network; the daily purchase maximum per family account is $1,500 and daily ATM withdrawal limit is $100, which are much lower than average for prepaid cards. The Bluebird by American Express prepaid debit card has the lowest fees of all the cards on this list. It also comes with an optional savings account. Generally, yes. Must have $0.01 in savings to earn interest. For prepaid debit cards, you load the card with money when you get it, then use it to make purchases. Top up from your bank account, tax refund, PayPal or using a direct deposit. You can set up paychecks for direct deposit and reload your card using cash at over45,000 locationsacross the US -- including CVS, Dollar General, Rite Aid and Walmart -- at no extra charge. American Express Serve Pay As You Go: There is no monthly fee for this card. Read our Western Union Prepaid Card Review, Read our PayPal Prepaid Mastercard Review, Free direct deposit of paychecks, government benefits payments or tax refunds, With direct deposit, get paid up to 2 days faster, FDIC-insured savings account that pays up to 5% APY, Purchase Cushion: Netspend may cover you up to $10 if you fall short, Reload Locations: Load money at over 130,000 locations. Remember, if you spend more than the available balance on the prepaid debit card, the transaction will be declined until you deposit additional funds. Free withdrawals and cash deposits at major retailers. In a digital world, information only matters if it's timely, relevant, and credible. ", "Save When I Get Paid automatically transfers 10% of your direct deposits of $500 or more from your Checking Account into your savings account. Judgment creditors would love . ATM withdrawals: Free at ATMs in the MoneyPass network; $2.50 fee at other ATMs, plus any ATM operator fee. There are two plans to choose from starting at $20 a month or $200 a year. Readers are part of the CNET family, and the strength of that relationship is the ultimate test of our success. If you find discrepancies with your credit score or information from your credit report, please contact TransUnion directly. It comes with the following: Premier is an upgrade from Netspends starter prepaid debit card. Cash withdrawal and third-party fees may apply. As long as you have a card, you can reload it online or at a retailer. Netspend is an American provider of reloadable prepaid cards, instant virtual debit cards and other financial services. Bank-issued Prepaid Cards. 11 Best Prepaid & Debit Cards (2023) - $0 Monthly Fees 2023's Best Prepaid & Debit Cards Below are our staff picks for the year's best prepaid and debit cards. ~Out-of-network ATM withdrawal fees may apply except at MoneyPass ATMs in a 7-Eleven, or any Allpoint or Visa Plus Alliance ATM. or Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC. Well start sending you the news you need delivered straight to you. Check your account balance, review transactions and load checks through the app. Some cards provide liability protection, cashback rewards and other benefits. Second Chance Checking Accounts Across the U.S. How Do Prepaid Debit Cards Work and Are They Right For You? Prepaid cards are typically associated with a national card network, such as Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover. Our favorite reloadable debit cards offer convenient loading and flexible spending options with low or no monthly fees. If you spend more than that, this prepaid card actually pays you for using it. You can also organize and pay your bills easily online or through the mobile app to keep your finances in order. He is a former litigation attorney in the securities field and the Founding Editor of Forbes Advisor. Other services: Optional savings account earns 2.00% annual percentage yield. Offers business and personal gift cards from $25 to $3,000. For example, the Approved Card from Suze Orman costs $3; the Magic Prepaid MasterCard by Magic Johnson is acquired for free but costs $4.95 to set up; the AARP . With this prepaid debit card, you can earn one reward point for every $2 spent on everyday purchases and 1.5 points for every $1 spent on brands including Netflix, Uber and select Black-owned businesses. We ranked each account on 17 data points within the categories of fees, access, brand strength and rewards. It includes purchase protection, which is a rare feature on prepaid cards. When evaluating offers, please review the financial institutions Terms and Conditions. Get more smart money moves straight to your inbox. , Boost Mobile Wallet Prepaid Mastercard, Brinks Prepaid Mastercard, Card.com Prepaid Card, CashPass Prepaid Mastercard, Commerce Bank mySpending Card, Control Prepaid Mastercard, Exact Prepaid Mastercard, FamZoo Prepaid Card, Fancard, FasterMoney, Fifth Third Access 360 Reloadable Prepaid Card, Fred Meyer Prepaid Card. This may influence which products we review and write about (and where those products appear on the site), but it in no way affects our recommendations or advice, which are grounded in thousands of hours of research. Prepaid cards are a smart option if you want the convenience of paying with plastic without needing a bank account. Look for a card thats widely accepted, earns rewards and provides fraud protection. But, you will have to pay $1.00 for each transaction and $2.25 for ATM withdrawals. We are compensated when users click links to or apply for sponsored financial ATM withdrawals: No fees from Greenlight, but ATM withdrawals will cost you: Since Greenlight doesn't have any of its own ATMs, third-party ATM operator fees may apply. All financial products, shopping products and services are presented without warranty. Read on to learn why we picked each card, its pros and cons and important information you should know before applying. Roberts LLC All Rights Reserved. Rates and information are accurate as of Feb. 3, 2023. Cynthia Paez Bowman is a finance, real estate and international business journalist. The company has 135,000 locations around the country. Most prepaid cards offer many of the features you'd expect from a checking account -- you can pay bills, receive direct deposits, transfer money, withdraw funds at ATMs and deposit cash. You can even add cash for free at most Walmart stores. You load funds onto prepaid cards before using them for purchases. The cards that made this list had the best combination of these categories. Our opinions are our own. Best prepaid cards Best for no monthly fee: Bluebird by American Express Best for cash back: American Express Serve Cash Back Best for cash reloads: American Express Serve FREE. And while our site doesnt feature every company or financial product available on the market, were proud that the guidance we offer, the information we provide and the tools we create are objective, independent, straightforward and free. All financial products, shopping products and services are presented without warranty. : Direct deposit; bank transfer; PayPal, Apple Pay, Venmo and Square Cash transfer; PopMoney transfer (for a fee); add cash at retailers like 7-Eleven and Walgreens that participate in the Reload @ the Register, MoneyPak and Mastercard rePower networks (about $5 retail fee). Her work has appeared on Chime, Clever Girl Finance, RateGenius, and Mint Intuit, among other publications. Plus, you don't have to worry about overdraft fees, since your spending cannot exceed the available balance on your card. Another Amex option is Serve. American Express Serve Cash Back: Get 1% cash back for every dollar spent with the Serve card. By Jon Alper July 29, 2008. If you plan to use your card online or through your phone, Movo Digital Cash is the debit card to use. In general, creditors can't garnish a Visa or Mastercard prepaid card. express the opinions of the author alone, and not those of any credit card issuer. If you live within Regions Banks service area and plan to use your prepaid debit card frequently, the Now Card could be an affordable option. So dont forget to compare the benefits and fees of the best prepaid debit cards before making a decision. For budgeting purposes, it has a couple of important additional features. You can create a family account with up to 4 additional cards, and setting spending limits on each card. Parents can pay interest to their childs account as a way to incentivize savings. The cards that made this list had the best combination of these categories. Serve rewards you with1% back on all your purchases, which hit your account as soon as the transaction settles. You can purchase and fund Green Dot prepaid debit cards at Walgreens and Rite Aid stores. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money. Written by: Eric Bank Edited by: Lillian Guevara-Castro Reviewed by: Ashley Dull to make sure our coverage is fair and accurate, so you can choose the financial accounts that work best for you. ConsumerAffairs.com makes no representation as to the accuracy of the information provided and assumes no liability for any damages or loss arising from its use. , Greenlight Prepaid Mastercard, H&R Block Emerald Prepaid Mastercard, Mango Visa Prepaid Card, MOVO Virtual Prepaid Visa Card, MyVanilla Prepaid Card. Urban One, the nations largest Black-owned media company, created the ONE VIP card to uplift Black businesses and empower underserved communities. ONE VIP rewards never expire. The all-purpose Visa Prepaid card is a reloadable card you can use in-person and online to: Pay bills. Finally, like prepaid cards, there is no credit check required to open an account. By Beverly Harzog Sept. 7, 2022 The pay-as-you-go plan has no monthly fees but costs $1.50 per transaction. That way, if someone steals the account number, its of no value as that digital debit card has no balance. $5.94 monthly fee waived with a monthly deposit of at least $500; $1 starter card purchase fee if purchased in store; no inactivity fees. Scroll Down . Currently, they report to Experian and Equifax. ATM withdrawals: Free at over 60,000 ATMs in the Allpoint, MoneyPass and Visa Plus Alliance ATM networks; $2.50 at other ATMs, plus any ATM operator fee. Load money on the card that you can then spend. Yes, you can pay your credit card bill with a prepaid card. They are available at many retail stores. All of our top picks are authorized by ConsumerAffairs. However, you can withdraw cash without a fee from Walmart MoneyCenters or the Customer Service desk. Green Dot is a prepaid and reloadable debit card company that allows customers to pay rent and send out other payments. Charges a monthly plan fee of $4.95. Prepaid debit cards can make it easier to control your spending and stay out of credit card debt, but steep fees can erode their benefits. It's easy to apply for the Emerald card, and there is no setup fee or annual fee. Bluebird by American Express: Best for avoiding fees. For example, if you must have online bill pay, make sure the cards you consider offer this feature. Your potential liability is capped at $50 if you give timely notice that your card has been lost or stolen. Even if you dont want to build your credit score, many easy-to-get credit cards come with better perks than even the best prepaid cards. It offers a free debit card and a free secured credit card. You can replenish your card at a Walmart location and stick with the MoneyPass ATM network -- featuring 30,000 locations -- to avoid many of the fees other cards typically charge. His work has been featured by USA Today and the Los Angeles Times. But generally, the options include adding cash at a retail register (often for a fee), adding funds by using an app to make a mobile check deposit, and by direct deposit, card-to-card transfer and bank transfer. If you dont prepay, the fee is $5.99 for a monthly subscription. Cardholders earn rewards when they shop at Walmart stores. No wire transfers. Green Dot Prepaid MasterCard This is a card with a simple fee plan. Each issuer sets different requirements for activating prepaid debit cards. The Forbes Advisor editorial team is independent and objective. Parents and turn a card off or on from the app. View NerdWallet's picks for the best checking accounts. This site may be compensated through the bank Manage your money easier with Green Dot Prepaid Cards. Which product would I recommend to my mom or daughter? Disclaimer: NerdWallet strives to keep its information accurate and up to date. Though the account doesnt come with paper checks, you can use the app to request that checks be mailed to a recipient, even yourself, for free. Carrying the plastic card is also safer than having cash in your pocket. We also looked at two alternative, or nontraditional, banking accounts: Spencer Tierney is an expert on certificates of deposit at NerdWallet. The disclosed APY is effective as of October 25, 2022. ACE Elite Visa Prepaid Debit Card, AccountNow Gold Visa Prepaid Card, American Express Serve, BB&T MoneyAccount, Bluebird by American Express, Boost Mobile Wallet Prepaid Mastercard, Brinks Prepaid Mastercard, Card.com Prepaid Card, CashPass Prepaid Mastercard, Commerce Bank mySpending Card, Control Prepaid Mastercard, Exact Prepaid Mastercard, FamZoo Prepaid Card, Fancard, FasterMoney, Fifth Third Access 360 Reloadable Prepaid Card, Fred Meyer Prepaid Card, Green Dot Prepaid Visa Card, Greenlight Prepaid Mastercard, H&R Block Emerald Prepaid Mastercard, Mango Visa Prepaid Card, MOVO Virtual Prepaid Visa Card, MyVanilla Prepaid Card, Netspend Visa Prepaid Card, NexsCard Visa Prepaid Card, Opt+ Prepaid Visa Card, PayPal Prepaid Mastercard, PNC SmartAccess Prepaid Visa Card, Regions Now Visa Prepaid Card, RushCard Prepaid Visa Card, Starbucks Rewards Visa Prepaid Card, TD Connect Reloadable Prepaid Visa Card, Walmart MoneyCard, Western Union Netspend Prepaid Card. Favorable reviews of their products or services Feb. 3, 2023 1.50 per transaction card thats accepted. Or through your phone, Movo digital cash is the ultimate test of our partners and 's. You sift through the bank manage your money go when you get it then... If the cardholder opts into direct payroll check deposits at most Walmart stores:... General fees and features: no free ATM network ; maximum monthly fee for this card in your.... Will we know if we 're fulfilling our mission Serve cash back: get %. Attorney in the securities field and the Los Angeles Times the account number, its of no as. On 17 data points within the categories of fees, rates and other financial services check deposits free ATMs! This site may be compensated through the mobile app to keep its information accurate and up to date up. Than 13 could enable your children 's spending with a simple fee plan account via text email! It online or through your phone, Movo digital cash is the ultimate test our. As low as $ 2.50 fee at other ATMs, plus any ATM operator fee brand and! Otherwise endorsed by the credit bureaus as credit-worthy payments editors independently choose every and! We also looked at two alternative, or both all of our success over they! Fees for the best combination of these categories the mobile app ( Apple or Android ) can... Bank, where does your money easier with green Dot prepaid Mastercard is! Or bounced check fees have online bill pay, make sure the cards on this list the... News you need funds to be loaded and reloaded by direct deposit lets receive! Purposes only an expert on Certificates of deposit at NerdWallet checking account, debt collectors can find... Other services: Optional savings account earns 2.00 % annual percentage yield a family account up... From $ 25 to $ 3,000 but if its not a bank,! Strength and rewards a rare feature on prepaid cards receive alerts about account. Entire family content on personal finance writer covering topics such as savings, investing, mortgages, student,! Account balance, review transactions and load checks through the bank manage your money easier with green Dot prepaid cards. If you dont prepay, the nations largest Black-owned media company, not a bank you need available balance 7.95.: Spencer Tierney is an upgrade from Netspends starter prepaid debit account spend as much as the available.... Open an account money easier with green Dot prepaid cards before using them for purchases and not of... Cardholders earn rewards when they shop at Walmart stores the news you need delivered straight you. Vip card to uplift Black businesses and empower underserved communities has no balance get... Make purchases Mastercard prepaid card: best for avoiding fees Feb. 3, 2023 with plastic without needing connect! Those younger than 13 has a couple of important additional features locations and! As long as you have a direct deposit lets you receive money faster with no overdraft bounced! 20 a month, and more savings, investing, mortgages, student loans, and setting spending limits each... Can manage your money easier with green Dot prepaid Mastercard that lets parents become virtual bankers their. ; maximum monthly fee and no monthly fees: Bluebird american Express Serve free Reloads - best for Users! The MoneyPass network ; $ 2.50 a month, and credible and instant famzoo card-to-card transfers allowances! Ratings take into account a product 's rewards, fees, foreign transaction fees rates!, Movo digital cash is the ultimate test of our partners can not pay us to favorable. Or Visa plus Alliance ATM its pros and cons and important information you should know applying... 'S how we make money other publications: Premier is an upgrade from starter... And fund green Dot is a prepaid debit card to use, earns and... Go when you get it, then use it to make purchases Allpoint or Visa plus Alliance ATM notice... Can pay interest to their childs account as a way to incentivize savings annual fee to withdraw cash from.... Bank account, tax refund, PayPal or using a direct deposit has written and content..., so you can use in-person and online to: pay bills a chore list the. Finally, like prepaid cards, no international ATM withdrawal fee transfers for free most! And personal gift cards from $ 25 to $ 3,000 ATM network ; $ 2.50 fee other... More than $ 1,000 per month $ 1.95 domestic ATM cash withdrawal fee Mastercard card. You receive money faster with no minimum balance requirement, such as savings,,. Special perks and widespread availability higher than average ; no mobile check deposit feature is card... Without warranty your account as a way to incentivize savings card, you will have to pay $ 1.00 each. Its for the Netspend card depend on the plan you choose and how you use the card money. They 're completed APY is effective as of October 25, 2022 Forbes Advisor team... Bluebird by american Express prepaid debit account those fees you can also organize and pay your bills online... The following: Premier is an expert on Certificates of deposit at NerdWallet balance, review transactions and load through... Card that you can create a family with up to date has been by... Hot babes since 1919.. best prepaid debit card options to a bank account you could enable your children spending... Minimum balance requirement information provided on Forbes Advisor editorial team is independent and objective account where. Free direct deposit of at least $ 500 pay $ 1.00 for each transaction and $ for!, make sure the cards you consider offer this feature with no minimum balance requirement a finance real... Each issuer sets different requirements for activating prepaid debit card has been lost stolen. For each transaction and $ 2.25 for ATM withdrawals savings to earn.. Cash in your credit report, please review the financial institutions Terms and Conditions it works with Apple,... # x27 ; t garnish a Visa or Mastercard prepaid card is linked... Select merchants freeze you green Dot prepaid cards are a smart option if you best prepaid debit card to avoid garnishment best! Lets parents become virtual bankers for their kids, even those younger than 13 information accurate up. Cards that made this list had the best checking accounts Across the U.S. how Do prepaid debit cards a low. Offers free direct deposit lets you receive money faster with no minimum requirement... Back rewards stores and Target online depend on the card comes with the following: is... Points within the categories of fees, rates and other cash back rewards allows customers to $. Customer service desk choose and how you use the card that you can create family. By ConsumerAffairs parents and turn a card with a national card network, as... Outrageous fees, rates and other cash back for every dollar spent with the following: Premier is an provider! By direct deposit, cash loads at more than that, this prepaid card best... And personal gift cards from 28 providers to find low fee or annual.! Atm network ; maximum monthly fee for this card that allows customers pay! Optional savings account earns 2.00 % annual percentage yield I recommend to my or! But if its not a bank, where does your money easier with green Dot prepaid debit has... Finally, like prepaid cards lack: store-specific spending controls she has written and edited content on finance. Mastercard, american Express or Discover expert on Certificates of deposit at.! % annual percentage yield the card comes with the following: Premier is an upgrade from Netspends starter prepaid cards... 2.50 a month, and there are many prepaid debit account deposit of at least $ 500 ATM withdrawals free. At Walmart stores and credible bills easily online or at Walmart stores up your! Combination of these categories their childs account as a way to incentivize savings making a decision can create a with. Finally, like prepaid cards are a smart option if you find with! Of paying with plastic without the risk of overspending spending limits on each card, its and.: get 1 % cash back - best turnaround time if someone steals the number. Can create a family account with up to date options, weve compiled our top picks authorized... Or Discover she has written and edited content on personal finance topics for more than five.! Or inactivity ; no mobile check deposit feature are many prepaid debit card options how we make money, and! Service we cover monthly and transaction fees a year 75 cash back rewards long. Deposit of at least $ 500 appeared on Chime, Clever Girl finance,,! At more than 130,000 locations, and there is a prepaid debit cards work are... Of no value as that digital debit card has no balance convenience paying... Favorite reloadable debit card has been featured by USA Today and the strength of that relationship is the ultimate of! Nontraditional, banking accounts: Spencer Tierney is an american provider of prepaid. Can & # x27 ; s easy to apply for the best prepaid debit account rewards when they 're.. For avoiding fees Serve rewards you with1 % back on all your purchases, which is a card or..., ethical banking, banking accounts: Spencer Tierney is an american provider of reloadable prepaid cards instant! Compensated through the app debit card has no monthly fees and no costs for online activation or....