Some issuers
of prepaid debit cards have special programs that can
let someone with bad or no credit to build a good credit
history. Generally, you will have to pay a monthly fee
to be apart of these programs.
When you make a monthly payment for enlistment in these
credit-building programs, the card issuer will report
your payments to the major credit bureaus. If you have
bad or no credit, this is perfect because you do not
have to worry about paying a credit card balance that
will accumulate interest. This feature is called Credit
Builder.
List of prepaid debit cards with the Credit
Builder feature:
Eufora Prepaid Mastercard®
Vue Visa® Card
VIP Visa® Card
The Sterling VIP Prepaid Visa® Debit Card,
AccountNow™ Vantage Debit MasterCard®
Credit Builder Card
These prepaid debit cards all have different fees
but can be used the same as a regular debit card.
Although the Credit Builder card is a prepaid debit
card, it does not carry a Visa or Mastercard logo.
Therefore, the credit builder card cannot be used
in many locations.
Prepaid card issuers general make income in a variety
of ways. Prepaid debit card issuers will charge different
fees for the privilege of using the different features
associated with the prepaid card. With prepaid credit
cards you typically have to pay an annual fee, loading
fees, and enrollment fees for special programs.
The annual fee is for the general use of the card
and its features and is basically a membership fee.
Some prepaid debit cards offer the same features as
regular debit and credit cards like reward points
and travel assurance. Loading fees are generally charged
at different rates depending on how you load funds
to your prepaid debit card.
Some prepaid debit cards will charge a small fee ($1)
for loading funds by means of Paypal, bank transfer
or wire transfer. In addition, some prepaid debit
card issuers will have free loading options like direct
deposit. |