Pre-paid credit card

[Rodimus54]

How do they work? Stopped at Walgreens and all the ones I saw there seem like you still have register it online to put money on it (one even said you have to provide a SS# to register) and most seem to have minimum balance requirements of $500-$1000. My assumption was that it was like a Virgin Mobile TopUp card where you go back to Walgreens to load it with money in small denominations.

[Jannisary]

The reloadable cards are all requiring your personal information at this point. It is just like signing up for a regular credit card except you'll be paying a fee to load money onto it at either a participating retailer cash register or online from your bank account if the card offers that service.

My understanding is that the OneVanilla Prepaid card does not require personal information. You just buy the card and use it like a gift card and if you want make online purchases you register your zip code on their website and then you can make purchases. It is not reloadable. I've not tried it yet myself.

[gigi_gypsy]

The best one to use is VanillaVisa GIFT CARD (must say gift card). You do not need to give any information except when you register the card - you give them your zip code.

A NOTE: I believe some CVS are requiring your ID to buy them over $300. I went to a Walgreens that did that. I just went to another and they did not ask.

[fluffhead1977]

I have not used the reloadable ones, only VISA gift cards. I've gotten them at Schnucks, Target. They activate it at the register and do not require personal info. I buy $100 gift cards but I believe they also have 50 and 25. There is a 6% fee though.

[Super Head 713]

Yes, vanilla visa is perfect

[fishboy]

Thanx everybody! I was literally standing in line at grocery store to get one today and started reading the fine print on all the personal info needed to register.

I was thinking screw this do did quick search on here and bingo this thread came up so walked over to cvs and got vanilla visa. Didn't even need zip code!

[Monica13]

i had a problem with vanilla visa when i used it. it required my name and address and the funds were held. i personally didn't like it. that was a couple years ago so i'm not sure about now

[gigi_gypsy]

Monica - get the Vanilla Visa GIFT CARD (not credit or debt card). When I use it online, it requires a zip code. I don't know about using it elsewhere as I use cash.

[Monica13]

ok, that is the one i use. i think the first time i might have gotten the credit card one.

thanks, gigi

[sashalarae]

Vanilla Gift Card is the Best just easy register it online with just a zip code for online payments

[acescracked]

Is there a standard fee for the vanilla gift card or a percentage? It seems it is a one and done, not re-loadable? What about green dot cards, are they a thing of the past, do they need personal information?


Thanks, Aces

[Monica13]

I think prepaid visa is like 4.95

[gigi_gypsy]

Originally Posted by acescracked

Is there a standard fee for the vanilla gift card or a percentage? It seems it is a one and done, not re-loadable? What about green dot cards, are they a thing of the past, do they need personal information?


Thanks, Aces

Originally Posted by Monica13

I think prepaid visa is like 4.95

The Vanilla Visa GIFT CARD is nonreloadable. It is $4.95.

Some places are asking for IDs and if that is a concern of yours, just say you left your ID in the car. Some Walgreens and CVS are asking for IDs and others are not.

[MWCompanions]

Vanilla Visa GIFT CARDS (the non reloadable cards) are amazing.

Walgreens does seem to ask for ID however most CVS stores do not.

Some 7-11 store carry them as well.

You do have to go to to the website online and register a zip code if you want to use it for purchases. It does not ask for any other personal info.

[bluffcityguy]

Originally Posted by gigi_gypsy

Some places are asking for IDs and if that is a concern of yours, just say you left your ID in the car. Some Walgreens and CVS are asking for IDs and others are not.

Originally Posted by MWCompanions

Walgreens does seem to ask for ID however most CVS stores do not.

But when they ask for IDs, are they entering information from that ID (like your D/L#, SSN, or name), or are they just looking at the ID like they would if they were "carding" you for a liquor purchase?

If I were paranoid enough to worry about it (which I'm not--a casualness which I concede may come back to bite me in the ass someday), I would think twice if the clerk is entering any sort of identifying information in the system. If on the other hand, they're just looking at the ID, I'd be less concerned--I doubt very many Walgreens clerks have a photographic memory that will enable them to rattle off your identifying information to LE days after the transaction in question--especially since there's nothing intrinsically suspicious about buying a gift card).

Cheers,

bcg