If you'd like the convenience of using a credit card to pay bills or make purchases, but your credit rating doesn't quite qualify you for a credit card approval, a NetSpend Visa card may work for you. It's a prepaid Visa card, which means you can use the card after you add funds to your NetSpend account. But you won't have to jump over a credit check hurdle before you're approved, and your acceptance is immediate after a quick application process. Once you've activated your card – either online or by phone – it's ready to use.
In addition to the convenience of paying bills and making purchases with your NetSpend Visa card, you'll enjoy other benefits as well. If you've loaded funds into your NetSpend account, but you're coming up short of cash at the end of the month, you can get cash back from your card at an ATM or as cash back from a purchase at participating merchants. You can even add checks to your NetSpend Visa card by using your smartphone.
If your employer offers direct deposit of paychecks, you can have your paycheck automatically loaded to your NetSpend Visa card. But paychecks aren't the only source of direct-deposit options.
Other NetSpend direct deposit options include:
Tax refunds.
Social Security benefits.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
Pensions.
Railroad Retirement Benefits (RRB).
Defense Finance and Accounting Service Payments (DFAS).
State unemployment benefits (depending on the state where you live).
Government Disability Benefits – SSDI or Workers Compensation (depending on the state where you live).
Veterans' benefits.
Visit www.netspend.com and click the button labeled "Sign Up Now." After the online application loads, enter your personal information as requested in each data field. Click on your choice of cards, and before you click "Get My Card," click on "Review the Fees Associated With Your Prepaid Card."
There is no fee for issuing your card, and you'll have a choice of a pay-as-you-go-plan or a monthly plan for future fees. Fees for withdrawing cash at ATMs, reloading cash, direct deposits, signature purchases, PIN purchases and other transactions are detailed when you review the fees.
When you receive your NetSpend Visa card in the mail, typically within seven to 10 business days after you place your order, it will have activation instructions. Visit NetSpend.com and click the icon at the top right-hand page labeled "Activate Card." After the page loads, all you have to do is enter your card number and the security code that's provided with your card. Click "Continue," and you'll receive confirmation that your card is activated.
You must have a computer with internet access; make sure you have adjusted your Internet safety level down to “Medium” level.
You must have a NetSpend prepaid debit card.
Visit NetSpend card activation website at http://www.netspend.com/activate, and go on the “Activate Card” upper-right button.
Enter your 16-or 20-digit card number as well as 3-digit CVV number into the specified fields and then click on the “continue”button.
Follow all the instructions to complete card activation process.
For further information, you can always refer to the FAQs page.