Jun 28, 2013, 3:20 pm
Last edit by: ChrisFlyer66
Moderator note: A new thread for 2016 is here: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/manufactured-spending/1738030-gobank-greendot-online-banking-debit-card-2016-a.html
Do NOT let Rite-Aid scan the GoBank barcode. You will be charged, but your funds won't load. It is a PIA to get your funds back.
Want to stay active? Be sure to only load when your balance is at or close to 0. Continuing to load when you have funds in there seems to be a no no. Swipes are recommended, but there are folks active that don't swipe.
Lots of $200 loads can get you shutdown. GoBank does not like paying load fees on low denomination loads. Two $500 loads is better than five $200 loads.
Shut down reports:
Please list your load/spend/billpay details (in a single statement/lifetime?) e.g.,
type of load, number of loads, denomination of your gc or mp, amount of your billpay, any actual swipe/dd?
lad2 (closed) - May: $2.7K 9 loads 5DDs - June: $5.5K 5 loads 6DDs - July: $4.6K 6 loads 1DD - August $9.9K 19 loads 1DD - no swipes
TheDapperDon (open) June $4.5k 5 loads. All GCs. 1 swipe. Everything else BP to CC. 1500 most loaded in one day .July - $3489 5 loads. All GCs. Several swipes. No load until below $20 or so remaining.
raghu455 (closed) May $2k 4 loads, june $7k all GCs. All BP to CC.
drdrew450 (closed) 17K in loads, unloaded all through bill pay, less than a month
cuebert (closed) $4.5k in 9 MP loads, BP out. That was fast.
sgideons (closed) May $7k 17 loads, june $17k 27 loads, july $5k 6 loads, september $3.5k 4 loads. Unloaded 90% ACH pull, 5% PP to self, 5% bill pay tool. Closed on September statement date.
MDWCommuter (closed): June only, $8k in 60 loads, all GC. $2k is most loaded in one day. Wrote 2 BP to CC checks, no ATM, no MP loads, no ACH pull, no DD, always carried at least a $1k balance
ArtemK (closed): 1st month - 5/21 - 6/21 - loaded $6,700, 6/21 - 6/30 - $4K loaded, all via GCs. Unloaded all via BP to Citi and Chase. No ATM, no MP loads, no ACH pull, no DD, no swipes.
rdover1 (Closed): 1st month - $23.6k loaded (WM GC), ~$1k spend, rest bill pay (mostly to CC)
rdover1 2nd card (closed): Closed mid cycle, survived 1st month. No bill pay, only MO. Never loaded over ~$4k. Total activity ~$12k.
T3pleShot (closed): 7k in loads at WMT, 10 loads, mostly $500, some $200, $4k billpay to CC, 5 swipes totaling about $25.
ctbarron (open): Month1 - $3.8k loaded, all bill pay out, 1 swipe; Month2 - $3.7k loaded, all bill pay out, few swipes and an ATM WD; Month3 - $4.2k loaded, all bill pay out, few swipes and an ATM WD. Zero membership fee, usually a balance of under $150.
americanindian (closed)- closed after 3 months today. had about 7.5k deposit each month, with lots of small value(<$20) purchases each month. liquidated mostly using bill pay.
rodsren (closed)- the dapperdon warned me. I was closed today after less than 5,500 or loaaing in less than 3 weeks (was going to try to keep it to 7,500 - 10,000 but didn't luck out.)
binnycode (closed, re-opened) - 7x $200 loads + 1x $700 load + 3x $500 over 2 days got me shut down. Called CSR and they re-opened my account, letting me know that "direct deposit would reduce my number of trips to walmart" lol!
Do NOT let Rite-Aid scan the GoBank barcode. You will be charged, but your funds won't load. It is a PIA to get your funds back.
Want to stay active? Be sure to only load when your balance is at or close to 0. Continuing to load when you have funds in there seems to be a no no. Swipes are recommended, but there are folks active that don't swipe.
Lots of $200 loads can get you shutdown. GoBank does not like paying load fees on low denomination loads. Two $500 loads is better than five $200 loads.
Shut down reports:
Please list your load/spend/billpay details (in a single statement/lifetime?) e.g.,
type of load, number of loads, denomination of your gc or mp, amount of your billpay, any actual swipe/dd?
lad2 (closed) - May: $2.7K 9 loads 5DDs - June: $5.5K 5 loads 6DDs - July: $4.6K 6 loads 1DD - August $9.9K 19 loads 1DD - no swipes
TheDapperDon (open) June $4.5k 5 loads. All GCs. 1 swipe. Everything else BP to CC. 1500 most loaded in one day .July - $3489 5 loads. All GCs. Several swipes. No load until below $20 or so remaining.
raghu455 (closed) May $2k 4 loads, june $7k all GCs. All BP to CC.
drdrew450 (closed) 17K in loads, unloaded all through bill pay, less than a month
cuebert (closed) $4.5k in 9 MP loads, BP out. That was fast.
sgideons (closed) May $7k 17 loads, june $17k 27 loads, july $5k 6 loads, september $3.5k 4 loads. Unloaded 90% ACH pull, 5% PP to self, 5% bill pay tool. Closed on September statement date.
MDWCommuter (closed): June only, $8k in 60 loads, all GC. $2k is most loaded in one day. Wrote 2 BP to CC checks, no ATM, no MP loads, no ACH pull, no DD, always carried at least a $1k balance
ArtemK (closed): 1st month - 5/21 - 6/21 - loaded $6,700, 6/21 - 6/30 - $4K loaded, all via GCs. Unloaded all via BP to Citi and Chase. No ATM, no MP loads, no ACH pull, no DD, no swipes.
rdover1 (Closed): 1st month - $23.6k loaded (WM GC), ~$1k spend, rest bill pay (mostly to CC)
rdover1 2nd card (closed): Closed mid cycle, survived 1st month. No bill pay, only MO. Never loaded over ~$4k. Total activity ~$12k.
T3pleShot (closed): 7k in loads at WMT, 10 loads, mostly $500, some $200, $4k billpay to CC, 5 swipes totaling about $25.
ctbarron (open): Month1 - $3.8k loaded, all bill pay out, 1 swipe; Month2 - $3.7k loaded, all bill pay out, few swipes and an ATM WD; Month3 - $4.2k loaded, all bill pay out, few swipes and an ATM WD. Zero membership fee, usually a balance of under $150.
americanindian (closed)- closed after 3 months today. had about 7.5k deposit each month, with lots of small value(<$20) purchases each month. liquidated mostly using bill pay.
rodsren (closed)- the dapperdon warned me. I was closed today after less than 5,500 or loaaing in less than 3 weeks (was going to try to keep it to 7,500 - 10,000 but didn't luck out.)
binnycode (closed, re-opened) - 7x $200 loads + 1x $700 load + 3x $500 over 2 days got me shut down. Called CSR and they re-opened my account, letting me know that "direct deposit would reduce my number of trips to walmart" lol!
Gobank by Greendot - online banking with debit card
Jun 8, 2013, 8:58 am
#436
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: SFO/SJC
Programs: whatever comes with CCs
Posts: 1,082
wow! the reports are scary. I was planning on unloading roughly $3k of gcs to gobank. Now I'm having second thoughts. given the volume we can do, I don't mind using gobank as my secondary card for like $500 pm for non bonus spend (if there is such a thing when you have 15 cards 
). I'm also thinking of setting up a direct deposit for $400/wk. The bill pay feature works well enough and there are plentiful ATMs. Would anybody recommend against direct depositing into gobank?
looks like ACH pulls are not reliable so that's a bummer.
). I'm also thinking of setting up a direct deposit for $400/wk. The bill pay feature works well enough and there are plentiful ATMs. Would anybody recommend against direct depositing into gobank? looks like ACH pulls are not reliable so that's a bummer.
Last edited by mintcilantro; Jun 8, 2013 at 9:02 am Reason: ach
Jun 8, 2013, 10:03 am
#437
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 274
wow! the reports are scary. I was planning on unloading roughly $3k of gcs to gobank. Now I'm having second thoughts. given the volume we can do, I don't mind using gobank as my secondary card for like $500 pm for non bonus spend (if there is such a thing when you have 15 cards ). I'm also thinking of setting up a direct deposit for $400/wk. The bill pay feature works well enough and there are plentiful ATMs. Would anybody recommend against direct depositing into gobank?
looks like ACH pulls are not reliable so that's a bummer.
). I'm also thinking of setting up a direct deposit for $400/wk. The bill pay feature works well enough and there are plentiful ATMs. Would anybody recommend against direct depositing into gobank? looks like ACH pulls are not reliable so that's a bummer.
Jun 8, 2013, 10:05 am
#438
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Down South, The Desert
Programs: Marriot Rewards, Southwest Rapid rewards, Emerald Club, Avis Preferred
Posts: 1,871
I'm going to keep my GB loads at 1k a week max and 5k a month max. Although, that might be iffy given what Ted King reported.
These past few posts have made me appreciate Amex and BB even more. I've never heard a peep out of them and everything runs smoothly.
These past few posts have made me appreciate Amex and BB even more. I've never heard a peep out of them and everything runs smoothly.
Jun 8, 2013, 10:10 am
#439
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Down South, The Desert
Programs: Marriot Rewards, Southwest Rapid rewards, Emerald Club, Avis Preferred
Posts: 1,871
Now that I think about it, they probably think we are laundering money. I assume that GoBank intended this product for the unbanked that probably wouldn't have more than 1k a month of cash to load to a card. If we are loading more than that, they probably think we are drug dealers or something. I suppose it depends on how we unload it. If we are paying bills, that would be different. Withdrawals by ach or cash probably look worse to them.
Jun 8, 2013, 10:35 am
#440
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 809
Its definitely intended for the unbanked. I just don't get why companies create limitations with their products and then get spooked when people get close to those limits.
I intend to keep going with what I have been doing. Load then bill pay my CC.
I intend to keep going with what I have been doing. Load then bill pay my CC.
Last edited by cashback; Jun 8, 2013 at 10:40 am
Jun 8, 2013, 12:09 pm
#443
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Down South, The Desert
Programs: Marriot Rewards, Southwest Rapid rewards, Emerald Club, Avis Preferred
Posts: 1,871
I'm off to Kroger for a GC and then to load GB at WM. I will report back if I have any issues with anything.
Jun 8, 2013, 12:21 pm
#444
Join Date: Feb 2011
Programs: DL DM Hub Captive, Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond, PC Plat, and other stuff.
Posts: 904
wow! the reports are scary. I was planning on unloading roughly $3k of gcs to gobank. Now I'm having second thoughts. given the volume we can do, I don't mind using gobank as my secondary card for like $500 pm for non bonus spend (if there is such a thing when you have 15 cards ). I'm also thinking of setting up a direct deposit for $400/wk. The bill pay feature works well enough and there are plentiful ATMs. Would anybody recommend against direct depositing into gobank?
looks like ACH pulls are not reliable so that's a bummer.
). I'm also thinking of setting up a direct deposit for $400/wk. The bill pay feature works well enough and there are plentiful ATMs. Would anybody recommend against direct depositing into gobank? looks like ACH pulls are not reliable so that's a bummer.
GreenDot is the elder statesman of the prepaid debit card world. My assumption is that they've been profitting off of the unbanked for years now, and prior to Bluebird, they rarely saw customers load $1K at a time, or attempt to load $10K in a month. When I tried to do that, I'm assuming it set off their trip wires. My opinion is that if they wanted to review my account, that's reasonable. To ban me forever, when I'm not doing drug money laundering or credit card theft laundering - which is there biggest sources of fraud - is unreasonable, IMO. But hey, it's their company, and it's their right. I don't have any hard feelings. The fact is, I was taking advantage of them for the miles. But I was using their product as intended, with swipe purchases and bill pay. If that makes me a bad customer, then we agree to disagree.
Jun 8, 2013, 12:41 pm
#445
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 970
I say go right ahead, but just view GoBank/GreenDot as a backup tool. Hey, it's not like you're going to get in trouble with the law or anything. Worst case scenario is they ban you for life. Myself and several others are in that boat. But honestly, as far as I'm concerned, it's not a great loss. GreenDot's limits are restrictive, and I'm NOT one of the great unbanked - I will be able to live my whole life without GreenDot and their prepaid cards.
GreenDot is the elder statesman of the prepaid debit card world. My assumption is that they've been profitting off of the unbanked for years now, and prior to Bluebird, they rarely saw customers load $1K at a time, or attempt to load $10K in a month. When I tried to do that, I'm assuming it set off their trip wires. My opinion is that if they wanted to review my account, that's reasonable. To ban me forever, when I'm not doing drug money laundering or credit card theft laundering - which is there biggest sources of fraud - is unreasonable, IMO. But hey, it's their company, and it's their right. I don't have any hard feelings. The fact is, I was taking advantage of them for the miles. But I was using their product as intended, with swipe purchases and bill pay. If that makes me a bad customer, then we agree to disagree.
GreenDot is the elder statesman of the prepaid debit card world. My assumption is that they've been profitting off of the unbanked for years now, and prior to Bluebird, they rarely saw customers load $1K at a time, or attempt to load $10K in a month. When I tried to do that, I'm assuming it set off their trip wires. My opinion is that if they wanted to review my account, that's reasonable. To ban me forever, when I'm not doing drug money laundering or credit card theft laundering - which is there biggest sources of fraud - is unreasonable, IMO. But hey, it's their company, and it's their right. I don't have any hard feelings. The fact is, I was taking advantage of them for the miles. But I was using their product as intended, with swipe purchases and bill pay. If that makes me a bad customer, then we agree to disagree.
From reports above, my days are more than short. I've loaded $20K in 3 weeks - all then used for billpay for CCs.
Jun 8, 2013, 12:41 pm
#446
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: BOS
Programs: AA, SPG, UA, CSP
Posts: 338
so loaded my first GC using gobank. Just came back from WM and this is what i see - 06/08
SAT
CREDIT (Pending)
+$500.00
How long does it stay in pending?
SAT
CREDIT (Pending)
+$500.00
How long does it stay in pending?
Jun 8, 2013, 1:47 pm
#448
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: LAX/SNA
Programs: AA, Hilton Gold
Posts: 3,887
Jun 8, 2013, 1:59 pm
#449
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Down South, The Desert
Programs: Marriot Rewards, Southwest Rapid rewards, Emerald Club, Avis Preferred
Posts: 1,871
They don't care - it's a profit/loss decision. Loading lots of $ and not swiping/just paying bills is a money losing proposition for them. They would rather hope you are the unbanked who uses DDeposit from your employer and then swipe to unload - that's their business model.
From reports above, my days are more than short. I've loaded $20K in 3 weeks - all then used for billpay for CCs.
From reports above, my days are more than short. I've loaded $20K in 3 weeks - all then used for billpay for CCs.
Jun 8, 2013, 2:01 pm
#450
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Down South, The Desert
Programs: Marriot Rewards, Southwest Rapid rewards, Emerald Club, Avis Preferred
Posts: 1,871
I'm pretty sure that these institutions somehow make money on bill pay as well. Otherwise, my banks and credit unions wouldn't harass me every time I log in asking if I want to set up bill pay and telling me that I can win a prize if I set up bill pay. They make money off of it somehwo.