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About Netspend
Netspend offers prepaid debit cards from Visa or Mastercard with no activation fees and no minimum balance requirements. You can qualify for its services without a credit check. The company has multiple loading options, including by direct deposit, through your phone or at a reload station.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- No activation fee
- No minimum balance requirement
- No credit check
Cons
- Daily spending and withdrawal limits
- Fees associated with transactions
Bottom Line
Netspend prepaid cards are easy to sign up for, and the company has no credit check and no activation fee for online orders. You pay fees monthly or per transaction, but the card doesn’t require a traditional bank account.
Top Netspend Reviews
I've had Netspend for a while now and I love them. The app is amazing and I can get my paycheck up to two days earlier. Anytime I have any kind of questions, I can always reach th...
Read full reviewI'm happy to be with Netspend. I've been with them for years and I love it. In fact, I'm trying to get my mom and my sister to join it too. It's easy to use the reload locations a...
Read full reviewWhat is Netspend?
Netspend offers prepaid cards from Visa and Mastercard. These cards provide the convenience of a debit card without requiring a bank account. The company does not conduct credit checks, and the cards are a useful way to receive paychecks through direct deposit if you do not have a bank account. Direct deposit funds could be available on your card up to two days faster than a paper check.
When you sign up for the Netspend’s mobile app, you can check your account balance, send and receive money on the go, find the nearest reload location and check recent transactions. Netspend also features a rewards program and an interest-earning savings account.
Netspend’s services also let you transfer money from friends’ or family members’ accounts.
How does Netspend work?
Once you’ve signed up for a Netspend prepaid card, you receive your card within seven to 10 business days. There is no credit check, but you must verify your identity — the company limits usage on cards without verified identities.
Netspend sends transaction alerts to your phone so you know when you receive deposits, when transactions go through or get declined and when your balance is getting low. Netspend cards come with zero-liability fraud protection in case someone uses your card fraudulently. You can also enroll in a protection plan that covers overdrafts up to $10.
As long as you have funds in the account, you can use the card at any location that accepts Visa and Mastercard.
How much does Netspend cost?
Netspend does not charge an activation fee. When you load the card and begin using it, the company charges fees to your account. You can choose a monthly reduced rate plan or pay-as-you-go fee structure that charges per transaction.
Netspend charges a monthly rate of $9.95 or $1.50 per transaction. You can save on monthly fees by enrolling in direct deposit. Other fees for Netspend’s services include:
- ATM withdrawals: $2.50
- ATM balance inquiries: 50 cents
- Cash reloads: $3.95
- Over-the-counter cash withdrawal fee: 2.75% of the total or $4.00, whichever is greater
- Account-to-account transfers: $4.95 when done by an agent
There are no fees for direct deposit or paper check services if you use Netspend’s mobile app, and bill payment fees vary. If you do not use your card for 90 days, you will be charged a $5.95 inactivity fee.
Netspend FAQ
How long does it take to receive my Netspend card in the mail?
It takes seven to 10 business days to receive your Netspend card in the mail.
How do I get a Netspend card?
You can apply for a Netspend card online. You need to verify your identity, but there is no credit check required. The company asks you to provide your name, street address, date of birth and some additional personal information.
When will my direct deposit be available with Netspend?
When you enroll in direct deposit with your Netspend card, funds could be available up to two days earlier than a paper check.
How do I find my routing number and account number for Netspend?
Your routing and account numbers are available on your online Netspend account, by texting Anytime Alerts or by calling customer service.
What is the daily withdrawal limit for NetSpend?
The daily ATM withdrawal amount from Netspend is $940. You can withdraw up to $325 per transaction with a limit of six withdrawals in 24 hours.
Is Netspend legit?
Netspend prepaid cards are processed by Visa and Mastercard. While Netspend charges fees, its prepaid cards are available with no credit check. You do not need a bank account, but your card is eligible for direct deposits that can get you paid up to two days faster than a paper check. Netspend also offers extra features, such as a mobile app that lets you deposit paper checks by using your smartphone. If you don’t have time to get to the bank to cash or deposit checks, this convenience can help you pay bills on time.
Netspend Reviews
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Netspend is an excellent company. The service that I receive from Netspend has been phenomenal. Whenever I had a problem, they resolved it automatically. I've always had a good experience with them. So far, they've been great with me. They have recently had some employees that were doing some things that were not good for banking. But I've been with them for several years. They treated me as a client. If I have a problem with Netspend, they have a corporate office that you can call. I had a problem with Lyft. Someone used my Lyft account while I was at work. There was no way I could have been riding in a Lyft. Netspend went in, reversed the charges, and gave me a temporary credit. They have investigated rightfully. But whoever the employees were with Lyft, as soon as they realized that they had given me the thing, they went back and they tried to reverse it. I contacted Netspend again and once again they went into action for me.
If I swipe my NetSpend at Walmart, Target, or anywhere, I'm getting a ching ching on my phone alerting me to exactly how much was taken out and when. When I paid my IRS payment, they made sure that IRS got my money. Even after the IRS called me, they sent me a statement confirming that I had paid all my taxes. Somebody who had my phone and stole my information made copies of all my IRS statements. She tried to divert that to her bank account. When I called the corporate office, I spoke with Eric. Then I spoke with their customer service rep and they said, “You have nothing to worry about because we have clear evidence that that payment that you did every week went directly to the IRS, and they were paid in full out of your bank account.” And that's what you call good banking. With Netspend, you also get your deposit two days early. I recommend them to anybody.
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I've never used Netspend somewhere where it was declined and I have less cash on me because I put money on my card. Also, anytime I call customer service, they always solve all my problems. The only problem I'm having that I can't get resolved is I can't get my card mailed to me. I'm using a card that does not have my name on it. I have called Netspend and they assured me that a card would be coming to my mailbox but there's still no card in my mailbox. I can't order a card because online, it won't let me put in a PO box because it has to be a physical address. But I cannot get mail at my physical address. When my Netspend runs out, I'd have to go back to the gas station and buy another Netspend card. But I'm still checking my mailbox every day, hoping that one day, I'm gonna open it up and my Netspend card with my name on it is gonna be there.
I reload very frequently, usually, at the dollar store. But it is a little annoying. Speedway in my area is now Rebel and I can no longer reload at the old Speedway location. But BP gas stations are everywhere in the town I live in and I can't reload at any of those locations. It would be very convenient if I could go to a BP gas station.
About 10 years ago, I was waiting on my check to come in on the 1st and I knew I had a little money in my account. I went to Carowinds to get my little change out so we can have a good time. When I saw what I saw, I was totally shocked. My money came a week in advance and that was the perfect day. I've been with Netspend ever since. That's my main bank.
I had a situation that was cleared up this week. It all started with me moving from North Carolina to Federal Way and I can no longer call Netspend from my phone. I have to go to somebody else's phone to call them. I can't just dial the number anymore. I asked them several times if they blocked me. That was an inconvenience because I had to take time on the phone that was someone else's. The other thing was my card no longer worked when I got to Federal Way. I called several times about that and was told I had no restrictions. But when I go to the ATM, I could not use my card. Come to find out the other day when I was preparing for the New Year that I have a new account number and a new routing number. That must have been the problem. All the times that I called, no one was able to see that in my account.
I had my direct deposit from Social Security. I waited until Wednesday and I still couldn't access it. The lady rep said I had no money in my account. But now my primary card works after I found out I had a new routing number. Basically, it's a new account but I'm using the same card. That does not make sense to me. I'm not complaining but that's been my problem for six months. Doesn't Netspend have a system that says they changed my account? I did not change my account. I've had the same routing number and account number for at least 10 years. I did call back and I told them what the problem was. Other than that, I refuse to let Netspend go. The other Tuesday morning, I got the check. If I have another problem with the account, I'm gonna check that routing number and account number.
I have had Netspend for almost 20 years and I've never known anything about the difference between my Netspend and the All-Access. It's been offered to me several times, but I've turned it down because I don't know what the pros and cons are. I'm going to try. They're supposed to be sending me one. My Social Security from the government direct deposits it right into my Netspend, and I get it two days earlier. Plus, I've got what they call an Anytime Alerts, where every single thing I do or spend or deposit sends directly to my phone and I can see it right there in front of me. So, it’s very understandable. It was honest and it's been honest for this long. And there's been some other people that say I need to get a bank account. I don't want a bank account and I'm not gonna get one. I know Netspend is basically a bank account, but it's not the same. So, I will never change.
I'm very impressed with the customer support because when you first get them on the phone, they ask you to verify your information and your security code or question. If you want to go further such as get more information from a direct deposit and deeper into your account, then you go into some more indefinite questions for security and no one has that information but me. So they don't quote it to me. I tell them and they verify it. It's totally different and very helpful. I feel very comfortable and I can sleep at night knowing what's in my bank account. These days especially, I've checked that bank account on my phone almost every two hours.
I got kudos for customer service. They treat me very fair and they’ve never been dishonest. They’ve never raised their voice at me. There have been times where I've had fraud on my account. I don't care if it's $1 or $2. They watched that account and they would send me information immediately if I made that transaction or not. So, I know exactly what's going on and I can trust Netspend. They are already there and they know what they're doing. I've encouraged people to go with Netspend. They don't believe that's how good it is, but I know.
I lost my card and I transferred money to another Netspend card. I had to pay my rent and my car, and when I tried to transfer more, they said I had reached my limit. I told the rep I needed them to transfer some of my money and the rep said no because my cap is $3,000 per month. I told her I got more than $3,000 worth of bills that I have to pay so I’m transferring money to another card and if I had known that, I would have just done a little bit everyday. But I transferred the amount, thinking I could pay my card and the light bill as well as the gas bill. Then, when that ran out, I had other bills that came through and I wasn’t able to pay them.
For almost three weeks, they put it in for another card and I was gonna get it on a certain date. I never got it. I had to pay $25 to get one expedited to me and by that time, I was two months behind on everything. Netspend should not put a limit. It’s my money. I should be able to get it when I want to. Also, I’m supposed to get paid two days early, which I don't. Netspend’s customer service rep said it’s because of whenever the job does. I get paid around Friday on most of my jobs and I should have my check on that Wednesday.
Wow, never have I experienced a more terrible customer experience from a company. I am not a customer; I received a card in the mail addressed to some unknown person (probably a scammer). All I wanted to do was report the issue and have my data removed from their system. This proved to be extremely difficult. First, I tried email support, but they requested the card number over email, which is hugely insecure and a PCI compliance violation. They recommended that I call their customer service, which is an absolute maze of menu options with the apparent goal of making you give up. I did not give up.
I finally found an option that would allow me to speak to someone. This person was largely unintelligible. They requested that I read back the card number to them, and I asked them if the call was being recorded, because that is PCI compliance violation as well. They sounded unsure. They put me on hold and eventually responded that they "would do what they needed to do" with the account. I asked them where they got my data: No coherent response. I asked them what I should do with the card: They didn't know. They apparently have no protocols for 1) Dealing with fraud, and 2) Complying with payment card industry requirements. The FTC should shut these guys down yesterday.
Hello,
Our records show that an agent from our Corporate Office has reached out regarding the card offer you received.
For additional questions or concerns, please email social@netspend.com.
Thank you,Netspend
To send and get money is easy. The only problem that I have is Netspend charges almost $4 to load my money onto my card. And I have to pay them to get my money back. Also, sometimes I run through an ** and I have to straighten them out. But for the most part, the reps are knowledgeable and help solve my problems.
I don't have any credit cards and I was told I could use Netspend. It’s prepaid so you don't have to worry about any more expenses. You spend whatever you have on the card. I've had mine for over five years now and the features are good. Where I live, I have a reload place that's very close to my house. The only thing that I don't like is they’ve been increasing to load the money. It used to be free then it became $2. Now, it’s almost $5 just to put money. That doesn't make any sense.
The only thing I use Netspend for is to make online purchases. I just put money on the card from the dollar store. All you gotta do is give the card to the cashier and the cashier would load the money and you just wait for your receipt. It's simple and easy. And it sends you a text that it was deposited in a matter of seconds.
I'm satisfied with Netspend and I have my whole family on it. Their reps have been wonderful, prompt, and active. They fight for me and get the things that I need accomplished. Even if I had an incident or something going on, they handle it and have patience with me.
Netspend Company Information
- Company Name:
- Netspend
- Company Type:
- Public
- Ticker Symbol:
- TSS
- Year Founded:
- 1999
- Address:
- PO Box 2136
- City:
- Austin
- State/Province:
- TX
- Postal Code:
- 78768-2136
- Country:
- United States
- Fax:
- 866-358-0526
- Website:
- www.netspend.com