Green Dot Prepaid Visa cards are quite similar to debit cards. Customers without bank accounts can access cash from ATMs, use the cards as a credit/debit card at retailers and reload the account. The accounts have no minimum balance requirements and no overdraft fees. One of the most popular Green Dot retailers is Walmart, which lets you load money from your payroll or government check to your card by simply visiting one of their locations. The most common reloading method is through direct deposit, but it is possible to reload a Green Dot card with another Visa card.
How to Get Started
There are a variety of ways to add money to your Green Dot card, from reloading the card using cash at a register to ACH bank transfers. Before you add money, though, you'll want to verify the balance on the Green Dot account. Some cards come with balance restrictions, and you do not want to exceed a maximum balance. Review the initial agreement you signed when you accepted the Green Dot card.
Visit a Retailer
Once you've verified your balance, the next step is to search for a retailer who sells MoneyPak cards. Supermarkets and drug stores are among the types of retailers who sell MoneyPak cards. MoneyPak cards are used for reloading prepaid debit cards. They do not strictly service Green Dot; they work for a variety of different prepaid accounts. This is the only service you can use to purchase more funds on a Green Dot Card with a different Visa account.
Read More: 5 Automatic Savings Apps to Help You in 2020
Purchase a MoneyPak
If you want to load money onto your card using a Visa card, you'll need to make an important extra step. You'll purchase something called a Green Dot MoneyPak at the register. These come in amounts from $20 to $500. At the register, tell the cashier how much you want on the card. The cashier must activate the account when you pay with another Visa card.
You will also need to pay a nonrefundable service fee of $5.95 for each activation of $20 - $500. If you don't use your card soon, you'll lose another $5.95 per month for every month it goes unused.
Tips
You can only use cash to purchase your money card.
Load the Money
Scratch off the foil to reveal the PIN on the MoneyPak card. Call the toll-free number listed on the back of your Green Dot card. Go through the automated system and choose the "reload with MoneyPak" option. Punch in the PIN listed on the MoneyPak card. Hang up and call again to verify the new balance on the Green Dot card.
References
Writer Bio
Based in Eugene, Ore., Duncan Jenkins has been writing finance-related articles since 2008. His specialties include personal finance advice, mortgage/equity loans and credit management. Jenkins obtained his bachelor's degree in English from Clark University.