Green Dot was started in 1999 and is a leading provider of prepaid debit cards and is the owner of one of the nation’s largest cash reload and payment networks. With over a million customers, you can count on them to be there for you. Get a card online or find their products in the prepaid section at tens of thousands of major retailers across the U.S. They’re an American owned and operated company who’s headquarters are located in California.

No credit check. No bank account required.

• It’s a Debit MasterCard® or Visa® debit card personalized with your name.
• Use it Everywhere MasterCard or Visa debit cards are accepted. Shop online, pay bills and get cash at ATMs.¹
• No Overdraft Fees. No penalty charges and no minimum balance.
• Pay as You Go! You can’t get into trouble by spending too much!
• Safer Than Cash. Your money is protected if your Personalized Card is lost or stolen.²
• It’s Reloadable. Add money to your Personalized Card at the store or with payroll direct deposit.³

Get a Green Dot MasterCard

There are two new Rushcards in the prepaid credit card market called the Prepaid Visa® Black Diamond RushCard and the Prepaid Visa® Purple Diamond RushCard.  I recently went to the Rushcard website to find out how the two Diamond cards were different from their two other cards.  I had to dig through the site to find anything because the only page I found that tells you what the difference is was the schedule of fees page.

The Diamond Rushcards appear to be different only in their fees. There is a monthly fee of $9.95 for the Diamond cards, but not for the regular cards. The initial fee for the Diamond cards is $3 where the fee for the regular cards is $19.95.  The are more differences.  With the regular cards ATM withdrawals are $1.95 each, but the Diamond card gives you two free withdrawals a month, then they are $2.50 each. If you use your card as a credit card (signing instead of using a pin) it’s free with the Diamond cards, but $1 each time you do it with the regular cards with a maximum charge of $10 a month.  Both cards charge you $0.50 to check your balance at an ATM.

The fees for bill pay and card replacement are the same for both cards and there are no fees to add money to the cards.

Based on the fee structure it looks like you will only benefit from the Diamond cards if you make only one or two withdrawls a month so you’ll get the two free withdrawals and if you make at least ten purchases a month.  If you make less than 10 purchases and make several atm withdrawals a month you are better off with the regular Rushcards.

Prepaid cards issued by banks and organizations are a new way for consumers to conduct financial transactions and make payments. There are many situations where a prepaid card might be the most convenient choice, but be sure you understand the key terms and conditions before you apply online for a prepaid card.

Find the answers to these two questions when considering a prepaid card:

1) What are the possible fees associated with using the card?

2) Can the prepaid card be used like a credit card? (online, at ATMs, outside the U.S.)?
Reputable distributors of prepaid cards will give you the terms and conditions in writing or have them available on their website. If you don’t understand how your card works, ask for help by contacting the customer service number on the card.

Prepaid Card Protections

The federal government does not guarantee the same protections for all prepaid cards, but many “branded” cards voluntarily carry the same protections as credit and debit cards. Prepaid credit cards with a major credit card brand logo like Visa or MasterCard provide consumer protections, such as replacing lost or stolen cards and refunding money after unauthorized use of the card. To get these benefits, you have to be sure to follow the directions for activating and registering your new card. Be sure to record the customer service telephone number that is on the back of the card in a safe place in case your card is lost or stolen.

If you have a problem with your prepaid card contact the customer service via the number on the back of the card. If the problem still isn’t resolved, you may want to file a complaint with the proper authorities:

For cards issued by national banks, contact the Comptroller of the Currency.

For cards issued by retailers, contact the FTC. You may also file a complaint with your local consumer protection office.