NetSpend is a prepaid debit card provider, as a competitive option to using credit cards, cash, or other debit cards for transactions. Therefore, a NetSpend card is a prepaid debit card like MasterCard and Kroger Rewards, to which customers give information like addresses and names when applying. Netspend will then mail personalized cards to individual consumers, for activation and funds loading. However, who would want to get a NetSpend card, and why?
These cards are suitable for the following category of consumers:
- Persons who cannot access traditional financial services
- Consumers with no banking accounts
- Customers who do not have credit cards
After purchasing and loading your NetSpend card with cash, you can use it in various places. Some of the most popular locations to use the cards include check-cashing points, grocers, insurance firms, retailers, convenience stores, pharmacies, as well as companies dealing in tax preparation. Besides, NetSpend offers payroll card solutions through their cards. This arrangement allows employers and businesses to directly, deposit paychecks into their employees’ NetSpend card accounts. It saves the hassles of opening a new bank account for your salary or dealing with traditional financial services.
Either customer can opt for MasterCard or Visa prepaid cards from NetSpend. To make their services more appealing and flexible, Netspend partners with financial institutions under the State and Federal government regulations. It means the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insures all NetSpend cards. For consumers, prepaid debit cards offer a convenient way to spend, manage, withdraw and add money to netspend card. Once you subscribe, you can access a whole array of features including person-to-person bank transfers.
How To Apply For Netspend Card ?
If you would like to enjoy the convenience of using credit cards for making purchases and paying bills but your credit scores don’t qualify you for a card approval, NetSpend cards may be the solution for you.
Applying for these cards is easy and straightforward when using their online application system. Consumers can apply for a NetSpend card using the company’s online order form. Once the online application loads, key in your personal information as indicated in each of the data fields. You will also be making your choice of cards by highlighting the relevant check boxes. After filling out this form, they will mail you a personalized card for activation and loading with funds. There is no need to worry if you have less than stellar credit since the company does not run credit checks. Besides, you will not need to pay an upfront fee when applying for the NetSpend card.
However, the following information is required when activating your Card Account:
- Name
- Street Address
- Date of Birth
Besides, the issuer might ask you to provide other information such as a driver’s license, to assist in your identification. Card issuers subscribe to the USA Patriot Act, a federal law obligating them to get accurate identification details of their customers. Consumers across all states are free to open a NetSpend card account, save for Vermont State.
However, before you click on Get My Card, do not forget to click on Review the Fees Associated With Your Prepaid Card. This does not mean there is a fee for issuing the card. On the contrary, customers can choose between a monthly plan and pay as you go plan, catering to future charges. It is vital, nonetheless, to review the fees guideline as it outlines charges for reloading cash, purchasing signatures, ATM cash withdrawals, PIN purchases among other detailed transactions.
Benefits of NetSpend Card
Besides the convenience of making purchases and paying bills, a NetSpend card offers other benefits too. In case you loaded funds into the NetSpend account, which are insufficient for your bills at the end of the month, the card allows you to get cash back from purchases at participating merchants, or an ATM. Cardholders can also add cash to their NetSpend cards using their smartphones and paying bills by merchant smartphone card reader.
How To Activate Netspend Card
Since NetSpend provides prepaid debit cards, it means you can only use their cards after adding funds to your card account. However, you do not have to go through a credit check hurdle to get an approval. In addition, the company has almost instant approval through their quick online application process. Customers can activate their NetSpend cards online or via phone, after which it is ready to use.
Netspend Card Online Activation Process
Applicants should expect to receive their netspend card in the mail within ten business days after placing their order, though it can also take 7 business days. The cards normally come with activation instructions to make it easier for consumers.
To begin the online activation process, you will have to visit www.netspend.com/account/activate and look for the “Activate Card” icon on that page. It is often placed at the top right hand of the page.
- Click on the icon to load a new page
- In the new page, enter your card number followed by the security code that comes with your card
- Click on “Continue”
- Wait to receive a confirmation response that your card is active
Netspend Card Phone Activation Process
Besides the online activation process, customers can also activate their cards via phone. To activate the card, simply call the issuer at 1-866-387-7363. NetSpend’s customer representative is going to ask for your card number and security code as in the online activation process. However, be ready to answer some questions that will help the customer representative to confirm your identity. Your card is ready to use after the representative activates it.
Where Can I Reload My Netspend Card?
The NetSpend MasterCard or Visa prepaid card allows customers to load money from various sources. After loading money, the card can be used to shop online or in-store, as well as any other outlets that accept debit cards. The card does not allow customers to spend more than what they loaded, meaning you will never be surcharged for insufficient funds. The NetSpend card is often linked to an account with one of the available banks. However, all these banks are Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation members, which insure your card balance by up to $250,000. Below are different methods to load money on your netspend card.
Money Transfer
NetSpend allows customers to open a savings account with them, where they can link prepaid cards. With a NetSpend savings account, you can transfer cash to the prepaid card at any time, via Netspend site, Netspend mobile app, or phone call.
The card allows you to add money from the savings account up to six times a month. Besides, there are other money transfer options such as other NetSpend cardholders directly sending money from their accounts to yours. The service is free when done online. However, senders will pay $4.95 if they use a phone call transfer.
Direct Deposit
You can also load money onto your prepaid card through a direct deposit. With this option, you can have your salary and other payments deposited directly into your card without using a paper check. Direct deposit is suitable for government benefits, tax refunds, and paychecks.
Those paying into your account can arrange with NetSpend to grant you immediate access to the deposited funds. It means you do not have to wait for days to start using directly deposited cash. In addition, this method saves you trips to the bank just to deposit checks.
If you get paid using paychecks at your workplace, the paycheck can be directly loaded to your prepaid card. However, NetSpend allows other direct deposit options apart from paychecks.
Some of the common NetSpend direct deposit sources include:
- Benefits for Social Security
- Pensions
- Payments for Defense Finance and Accounting Service
- Benefits for Government Disability
- Tax refunds
- Income for Supplemental Security
- Railroad Retirement Benefits
- State unemployment benefits
- Veteran’s benefits
Mobile Check Load
NetSpend embraces the best in technological advancements to provide the simplest methods to add money onto your card. A mobile check load is one of those methods. Through an easy to use smartphone app, customers can deposit their checks electronically to their prepaid cards. Upon receipt of the card, a consumer should load the newest NetSpend Mobile App on their Android or iOS smartphone.
From there, the customer is ready to use the mobile check load option. To deposit a paper check, you have to sign the back of the check and use your smartphone to take pictures of the back and front side of the check. The mobile app will automatically transmit the images to NetSpend for verification. The deposited check does not take long to be verified with some taking a few minutes.
Reload Locations via Netspend Reload Packs
Consumers can use a Netspend reload pack, sometimes known as a general-purpose reloadable card or GPR, to add money onto their debit cards. These reload packs
NetSpend has 130,000 strategic reload locations across the U.S. To find your nearest location, visit the provided link using an internet-enabled device. There are many supermarkets, dollar stores, and pharmacies among other retailers participating in the reload network. Most of these participants apply a reload fee costing $3.95. You can also deposit checks in person at any of those reload locations.
Check Netspend Card Balance By Phone
While a netspend card provides many of the features that come with other debit cards, you are not compelled to have a savings or checking account. Therefore, it is a viable option for customers who prefer not to open accounts with credit unions or banks. You can use the balance in your debit card to pay for purchases throughout the country. Since the card doesn’t let you spend more than the available balance, it prevents overdrawing the account or getting surcharged for insufficient funds. The card is often declined without a fee if your balance is too low for a purchase. Because of that, it is essential to know your prepaid card balance before any purchases. There are numerous ways to check for it.
Anytime Alerts
This feature is available through the Netspend mobile app, and it allows you to keep tabs on your card’s activity and even check the balance. Through this app, customers can specify the alerts they want to receive, including when to get them. You can opt for alerts on a weekly, daily, or transactional basis for account deposits, budget notifications, personal transaction information, and declined transactions.
Netspend has an SMS number, 22622, which you can use to query your balance by sending a text with the word BAL. Most of the primary mobile carriers in the U.S., including T-Mobile, and U.S. Cellular, support Anytime Alerts.
NetSpend Mobile App
This app works on most smartphones to give card information and services. Customers can take advantage of the app by checking their card balance and viewing the latest transactions. You can also dig deeper for further details if you wish. Besides, many consumers are using this app to send and receive cash, find the nearest Netspend reload pack location, and deposit checks.
Online Account Center
Netspend has an online account center that provides another option for checking your card balance. To do this, you must log in to the NetSpend online account center through your laptop or desktop computer. The site uses Secure Socket Layer technology to encrypt customers’ data and prevent theft. Through this website, you can join the Netspend payback rewards program, activate Anytime Alerts, and view recent transactions.
Other Balance Checking Methods
Calling Netspend’s toll-free number at 1-866-387-7363 helps you check your card balance. You will have to respond to the automated prompts to get your card balance. Participating ATMs at reload locations can also get you your card balance. Use the website’s location finder feature to locate the nearest reload location for card top-ups and balance queries.
Netspend Card Fees
As with other prepaid debit cards, a netspend card carries numerous fees, which you can’t run away from.
- Account Opening : Ordering and registration of the card online are free. However, if you purchase this card at retailers such as Walmart, there is a fee, which can go up to $9.95
- Regular Fees : Customers have one of three ways to pay a fee for the prepaid debit card from NetSpend.
- Pay $1 to $2 with each purchase
- Pay a flat fee of $9.95 every month to access free transactions
- Pay a $5 fee per month, and be eligible to receive $500 through monthly, direct card deposits
- Inactivity Fee : If you stop using the card, or when the card is inactive, NetSpend will charge an inactivity fee costing $5.95. However, this fee is only applied when the card is inactive for 90 days.
- Account Closing Fee : Closing the Netspend account is also going to cost you. Requesting a mailed check of your prepaid card balance comes with a fee of $5.95.
- ATM Withdrawals : Netspend charges a $2.50 fee for ATM withdrawals. This is besides an ATM operator fee.
- Over the Counter Withdrawals : If you choose to withdraw cash at a physical bank or credit union, the card issuer applies a $2.50 fee.
- Declined ATM Transactions : If your card is rejected at an ATM, NetSpend applies a surcharge of $1.
- Cash Reload : Visit any of the 130,000 Netspend’s reload locations to add money onto your card will cost you up to $3.95.
- Instant Mobile Check Deposits : Netspend has a steep fee if you want to enjoy timely check deposits over the phone. For same-day processing, customers have pay between 1% and 5% of the check’s amount, without which they will wait for 10 days to receive the cash for free.
Netspend Card Customer Service Number
Netspend is committed to availing the best service to its customers, with a dedicated number service to call its representatives for any queries. If you want to speak directly to one of their customer service agents, there are some steps to follow. Below is the step by step guide to call Netspend’s customer service and talk to a live person over the phone.
- Call 1-866-387-7363 on your phone
- You will be prompted to enter your social security number or card number
- Thereafter, from the voice menu, choose the suitable option
- From the next voice menu, choose the option to talk to a customer representative
- When looking to activate your new card, just select 1 in the first menu
- The automated phone system will then connect you to talk to Netspend’s live customer service agent
To talk live to a customer service agent on phone, you have to call between 8 am and 10 pm CST during weekdays, and from 8 am to 8 pm CST over the weekends. It is vital to observe these live Netspend customer service hours because they do not have live chat service where you can place your queries.
How To Cancel Netspend Card ?
Many consumers today consider prepaid debit cards like what Netspend offers to be a fast and reliable way of making any kind of payments. Netspend’s cards allow customers to make an ATM, credit, or debit withdrawal. Besides, the company avails several other benefits including online account access as well as a cash back rewards program.
However, like with any other bank account, you may want to cancel the account along with the card for many reasons. How do you go about deactivating your NetSpend card? There are various ways to close your NetSpend card, which comes with a fee.
Withdraw All The Balance Through An ATM
If you are looking for the simplest way to close your NetSpend prepaid debit card, simply withdraw all the money from your account. It means going to an ATM to complete the transaction. However, doing so comes at a cost. Netspend applies a $2.50 fee, on top of other ATM transaction charges. Additional ATM transaction costs between $2 and $5, based on your withdrawal location.
The withdrawal fee can go as high as $4.95 when using an international ATM, besides the ATM’s transaction charges. You must also consider a foreign transaction fee, often 3.5% of the amount you are withdrawing.
Requesting A Check
Customers can request a check to cancel their NetSpend account. The process can take between three and four weeks to get a check with your card balance. You will also pay to close your account through this method. The company applies a $5.95 fee of your remaining balance. However, you will not be charged a check fee when closing the account with a balance of less than $6.94, while a check is not issued for customers with a balance below $1.
For you to request the check, you have to call Netspend’s customer service or use the online account center.
Call Netspend To Close Your Account
If you need a quick and convenient way to wrap up your account, simply call Netspend directly. The only disadvantage with this method is that you will be giving them room to offer incentives that prevent from closing the account. However, you can go ahead to close the account if their incentives are not enticing enough.
Last Word
A NetSpend card provides convenience with receiving and sending money, including paying bills without subscribing to traditional banking services. The prepaid debit card carries a 5.00% APY for up to $1000, which drops to 0.50% APY for balances above that. Besides, their live customer service is available beyond the normal 9-to-5, during weekdays and weekends. However, as an alternative to checking accounts, Netspend’s prepaid debit card is more expensive.
