Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I buy these cards all the time. They help me with spending issues I've had in the past. They work wonderfully. However, based on a lot of the reviews I've read, it's important you read the info pamphlet so you clearly understand how to go about using it. This will avoid many of the frustrations I read about in other reviews. First, this card can not be used to retrieve cash. Second, if you plan on using it for online purchases you need to register it in your name which will link it to your zip code. When merchants run CC #'s, the 4 main things that need to match with the card are name, card #, zip code and most of the time the CVV # on the back of the card. As long as you registered it correctly any online purchase will always go through assuming there's enough $ on the card. Third, every retailers CC machines operate differently. So, it's important to ask the cashier if their machine automatically subtracts the amount available on the card from your purchase balance or if you need to tell them the exact amount that's on the card so they can manually punch that in before you swipe the card. Asking this will avoid the card from getting declined. If your purchase balance is less then what's available on the card, then you don't need to ask. Also, there's been a handful of times where mine got declined even though I knew I had plenty of funds. I just re-ran the card as debit instead of credit and it works. If you haven't registered your card and need to run it as debit, the pin is the last 4 digits on the card. Fourth, if you purchase items that may hv a chance of being returned, try very hard to keep that card on hand even if it's all used up. Most retailers insist they reimburse your $ bk onto its original form of payment or you'll end up with store credit. There's been many times I went to return and threw out my card already and had to basically make a scene to get cash back. Lastly, never ever ever pay at the pump when getting gas w these types of prepaid cards. There's extra security set up on the CC machine at gas pumps. It knows its a prepaid card, so it will hold all the funds available on your card for probably 7 days. Any retailer that accepts CC has to batch out their machine before any of those funds are deposited into their bank account. This is why they hold the funds. And honestly for whatever reason that I don't understand it seems that these cards can't be used to pay bills online or over the phone. But, that's no fault of the card. That will happen no matter what prepaid card you use. I hope this helps as you scroll along other reviews regarding their troubles they experienced. I believe if you are aware of this then it will help avoid any frustrations and help you determine if this is the right type of card depending on your needs.