Prepaid debit cards provide are widely available at a variety of retail stores, from big box retailers and drug stores to gas stations and dollar stores. They can also be purchased from some banks, as well as online retailers.
Gas Stations
May gas stations sell prepaid debit cards. Examples include:
Big-Box Retailers
Big big-box retailers offering prepaid debit cards include:
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Walmart: Walmart Money Card, MyVanilla Prepaid Visa or MasterCard
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Kmart: Green Dot Prepaid MasterCard, Halogen Reloadable Prepaid MasterCard
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Costco: Costco Cash Card (available to Costco members and can only be used at participating Costco locations)
Drugstores
Drugstores that carry prepaid debit cards include:
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CVS: Netspend Visa Prepaid Debit Card, Green Dot Prepaid Debit Cards (MasterCard or Visa), MyVanilla Prepaid Visa or MasterCard
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Walgreens: Green Dot Prepaid Debit Cards, American Express Serve Prepaid Debit Accounts, myVanilla Prepaid Visa Card
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RiteAid: Green Dot Prepaid Debit Cards (MasterCard or Visa)
Dollar Stores
Dollar stores offering MyVanilla prepaid Visa or MasterCard debit cards include:
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Dollar General
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Family Dollar
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Fred's Super Dollar
Banks
Banks that sell prepaid debit cards include:
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BB&T Bank: BB&T Prepaid Debit Card
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BBVA Compass: BBVA Compass Clear Spend Visa
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Commerce Bank: Commerce Bank mySpending Card
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PNC Bank: PNC SmartAccess Prepaid Visa Card
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MetaBank: Metablue Visa Reloadable Prepaid Card
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Regions Bank: Regions Now Card
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South Carolina Federal Credit Union: South Carolina Federal Credit Union Prepaid Reloadable Visa Card
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TD Bank: TD Connect Reloadable Prepaid Visa Card
Other Options
This online retailer and check cashing store offer prepaid debit cards:
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Amazon: Nascar Reloadable Prepaid Visa Card, Green Dot Reloadable Prepaid MasterCard
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Ace Cash Express: Ace Elite Visa Prepaid Debit Card
Tips on Obtaining Selecting Prepaid Debit Cards
Prepaid debit cards are easy to get. All you need is cash to meet the minimum load requirement. If you decide to purchase a prepaid debit card, keep these tips in mind:
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Look for a card that provides you with a lot of benefits and options. Examples include the ability to receive direct deposits, reload funds from your bank account and make ATM withdrawals.
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Inquire about fees. Some companies will charge you a fee to activate the card, a fee to use the card, a monthly fee, and ATM fees. These fees are deducted from your balance. For example if you get a prepaid VISA card for $250 and have an activation fee of $10, your available balance will be reduced to $240.
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Check with the Better Business Bureau to verify if the card issuer is reputable. Remember, the store that sells the prepaid card is not the issuer of the card. You will find the name of the issuing financial institution on the card itself.
Purchasing a Prepaid Debit Card
Before purchasing a prepaid debit card, carefully review the terms and conditions to be sure you are selecting one that suits your needs. Make sure you fully understand all fees, as well as the features and limitations associated with the account.
