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.
NetSpend Visa Card Benefits
Video of the Day
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.
Video of the Day
NetSpend Direct Deposit Sources
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.
How to Request NetSpend Visa
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.
Online NetSpend Activation Process
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.
Telephone NetSpend Activation Process
You can also call NetSpend at 1-866-387-7363 (1-86-NETSPEND) to activate your card. A customer service representative will ask for your card number, the security code and information that will confirm your identity. After the representative activates your card, it's ready to use.
Adding Funds to NetSpend Card
Other than the deposit options already discussed, you can also visit a NetSpend Reload Network location. Some locations charge a fee and others do not. Find a nearby reload location by visiting NetSpend.com and using the location finder tool. You can enter a city, state or zip code to search for a location.
If your zip code search doesn't turn up any reload locations, enter a nearby city or zip code. When the results load, you'll also be able to see the fee for each location.