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AccountNow Prepaid Visa Review
You don’t need to be embarassed about not having a credit card to make online purchases, register a Paypal account, rent a car, make hotel reservations, pay bills online and so many other things that require the use of a Visa or MasterCard.
The Account Now Visa can be used anywhere the Visa logo is accepted. You can use it at a restaurant, at an ATM, at the grocrey store and millions of other locations where Visa is accepted. If you are having credit problems and cannot open up a checking account, the Account Now Visa works as a virtual banking account that provides direct deposit.
If you’re on a limited budget, the Account Now Visa is better than a traditional checking account because the card offers free direct deposit so you won’t have to deal with expensive check cashing fees to cash your paycheck. There are no Credit history checks or ChexSystems verification. There are no hidden security fees. You also get free online bill pay for up to seven transactions a month.
Demonstrate your credit worthiness when applying for housing, credit, insurance, employment, and phone. Every time you make a bill payment with AccountNow Bill Pay, we will send your bill payment information to PRBC, a national credit reporting agency. It’s FREE when you activate AccountNow Bill Pay!
Account Now Prepaid Visa features
- Build your credit with the new iAdvance loan option(SM)
- Instant guaranteed approval* – no credit check, no security deposit
- $0 activation fee – when you load your card by direct deposit
- Free Direct Deposit – no more check cashing fees
- Free online check writing – no need for expensive money orders
- Free credit builder – bill pay transactions are reported to PRBC®
The AccountNow Prepaid Visa is one of the best prepaid credit card both in terms of cost and fees and also for those looking to rebuild their credit. It has lower fees and application costs than most prepaid credit cards and also offers a free credit builder service. We highly recommend this card for people trying to build credit.
by Austin Graffiti
Why is this necessary if check cards exist? Don’t all banks give you a debit card regardless of credit?
by C4G
Austin Grafitti - From what I understand, the Account Now card acts as a virtual checking account, primarily used by people who would have difficulty getting a traditional bank account due to poor credit, bad credit, no credit or previously bounced checks.
Another reason a consumer in those circumstances would use the card is that it has a bill pay feature that reports to PRBC (prbc.com). It can be a step in the right direction for somebody who needs to demonstrate that they can pay bills on time. It’s not going to skyrocket your credit rating but Account Now makes no such claims.
These days, there are a lot of people out there who have bounced checks because of the poor economy and they find themselves in the position of not being able to have a standard bank account. I personally don’t kow how that works, so I can’t say from experience but I read somewhere that anyone who bounces checks can on bank probation for two years or more.
With a card only account, that can accept direct deposit and only online check writing, a person can’t bounce a check because they can only spend what is in their card.
Also, a lot of people get these cards to make online purchases, swipe in sketchy locations (gas stations) or while travelling.
by olivia
I love because ok its security
Using your credit or debit card can be dangerous, as your billing information could fall into the hands of internet hackers and thieves. With that prepaid debit card, we are not exposing our main accounts on the internet as with a regular credit or debit card. Additionally, if there are any unauthorized purchases on your card, Visa offers zero liability protection against any fraudulent charges!
by Life Insurance Companies
From I what i understand, the Account Now visa is typically for people who cannot avail of the regular visa. It is also for the one that might have filed for bankruptcy and and need to restore their credit score and ratings.
Thanks
by Life Insurance Companies
There are mostly advertise as more cheaper, faster to get, more safer, more convenient, more friendlier and helps you get credit. There are many financial institutions giving out this stuffs now and is visibly advertise more frequently… even on ebay.
by Agitationist
In further answer to the first comment, there are businesses such as some car rental companies that don’t take bank check cards for a deposit, even if it has the visa or MC logo. This sounds like it would solve that problem.
by private investors
Interesting and much more useful than the standard cash card issued by a bank as at least you can use it online.
by PPC Chicago
nice post, i think this could be a great option for people that can’t get credit easily, and a way for people with bad credit to help it on the way back up. Great idea.
by Really Cool Stuff
This is great advice. I’ve been looking to build up my credit, and with banks being very cautious about granting credit cards due to the economy. Thanks.
by offshore dedicated team
Nowadays it’s not easy to get credit, but it’s even more difficult to pay for it. But cards are really convenient way of paying, I always use them
by CF Frost
I really don’t understand the reson for having a pre-paid card either. Unless it acts as a bank for the cardholder. That must be the only reason someone would do it is if they didn’t have a bank account anywhere. The card acts as a safe place to have the money sitting. If it’s a Visa, then it can be used anywhere, not just wally world.
by John
Is this basically a debit card, because that’s what it sounds like.
by Ratgeber Gesundheit
For me, I’d better not use credit card. This is only good for those who knows what discipline is. Failure to follow its specific use may mean disaster. If and only if, the user has no discipline. Credit card is very useful especially in times of emergency but be careful again.
by Maricee Salcedo
I opened my account with them because my landlord wanted the rent paid by electronic means. My account was free, there was never a minimum balance, I got a Visa debit card and I never had any problems at all.
by Francis
I have the same problem and that is why I love this card. I can only spend what I have on my account.
by Jose Rizzla
I like it because you can deposit money to the card using a green dot money pack. To do this you have to visit a green dot retailer like walgreens, cvs or wal-mart and purchase a money pack for $4.95. Then you call 800-GreenDot and enter your account number and presto your card has been loaded with money.
Another way I do it is to visit a ready link store like safeway and 7-Eleven. You tell the cashier you want to add money to your card and give the cashier money. The cashier swipes your account now visa accepts your money and you have deposited funds on to your account now card !!!
I use it mostly for online stuff like subscriptions. Ihad my real credit card jacked by some thieves last year and it took a long time to clear up the charges with my credit card company.
by almir
prepaid visa cards are much better than a credit card because you can only spend what you put on that card
by Liam
Do any international students have any particular views or comments about getting a prepaid Visa checking account?
I am hearing, anecdotally of course, that foreigners are having all sorts of problems with regular bank accounts and there appears to be a clear preference for these virtual bank accounts. Anyone care to share their experience?
by lissynrawya
can we use this type of card to verify our paypal account?
by Ace
@lissynrawya - Prepaid or “gift” visa/mastercards are treated like credit/debit cards only that they have somewhat of a limit unless you get one that you can continually load money onto them.
Short answer… provided you have the funds available, you can use to pay through paypal and in any retail or online situation.
by Roger | Save Money Tips
I think that is the best solution for the needs but as I have read that it can work as virtual bank account. Is it possible to receive paypal payments or payments from other resources which might be loaded to this card later? May be a dumb question but I am outside US.
by Jeraul
A new visa prepaid debit card have no credit limit available in the account until you putting some money in your account before you can use to verify your paypal account, said at least RM250. while credit card already have its credit limit available given by bank, hence you can use it directly to verify your paypal account
by MrVyper
I have the same question as Roger. Can this card be used to verify a Paypal account ?
by Vanessa
I think this is something very confusing. If we are talking about debit card then there is no use of it without money and we’ll have to upload money before using it. After that we can do it everything with it.
by Fractional Air
Pre-paid cards are a boon to those who cannot get bank accounts. With even the federal government requiring direct deposit these days, it is a necessity. Plus, a Credit Card is needed for many transactions like renting DVD’s or buying online.
by Rundll
While that would be helpful for people who are looking to repair their credit, it is always best to apply for a real credit card to do so. I would recommend a Discover with a very low spending limit and work from there.
by Queenie SMITH
I APPLIED FOR ACCOUNT NOW CARD AM I ABLE TO RENT A CAR WITH THIS CARD?
by Prepaid Visa Card
AccountNow also has prepaid MasterCards on the same site. ( http://www.accountnow.com/ ). It seems like more places accept MasterCard over Visa, but Visa seems to be more popular with consumers.
Having a MasterCard too may be a good idea. Some college universities only accept MasterCard and Costco used to only accept MasterCard or AMEX.
by Naomi
I agree with you and accept your advice because I think that in this way is more secure.I also think that the AccountNow Prepaid Visa is one of the best prepaid credit card
by Vikson
The Account Now Visa seems an auspicious and comfortable way and may be the most important thing that it’s FREE when you activate AccountNow Bill Pay.
by Allan
Looks like nice card and I have been looking for the same. I’ll be going after it right away.
by Free SatNav
Prepaid cards are really useful when dealing online, to avoid the potential risk of having your main card details stolen.
by Denise
Just to let everyone know. Acct Now is not accepted at ANY car rental place unless you have a regular visa acct they can put on hold. No rental cars accept prepaid cards at all. I know I was stranded after being confirmed on the internet. When I went to pick it up they said we don’t take those cards yet Acct Now assured me it would be taken.