Feb 8, 2014, 2:22 pm
Last edit by: weezl
please be aware the Target breach cards are currently on the black market, as always be aware of activity on all accounts
Purchase in store. Each store seems to have just one lane that has them on display (unlike the AMEX GC which are at most lanes). Package is larger than other gift cards, silver and red.
Not available in all states. Search here for possible locations
Note: Unlike AMEX's restriction on BB/Serve/Redbird where one person can only hold one of those, you can have an AFT (2, actually) while holding a BB, Serve, or Redbird
Need DL to purchase.
Max 1 purchase per ss# per day--this means one person can actually have 2 AFT cards, which is why there is a $5000 total limit for 2 cards (see below).
Max initial load $500 + $3 load fee.
May reload temp card as soon as verification of identity is complete, may take 48 hours. You can use an ATM with a temp card as soon as you're able to view your temp card PIN online. If you're unable to view your PIN online, you won't be able to use an ATM until you have the permanent card, which takes about two weeks.
Many stores now limit reloading to the service desk, and no longer at cashiers. The card must be swiped at a cash terminal to reload, not scanned! Ask cashiers to try if they don't seem to recognize the card. Ask if loading at service desk is a policy, it might just be a knee-jerk response from cashiers that don't know about the card. I have been told that a few times, "You need to go to the Service Desk," it has never been true. Say please and thank you.
Limits & Fees
Loading
Codes as purchase on all cards.
Load fee $3
Max $1000 per card in 24 hour period.
Max $5000 total for both cards per 28 day rolling period.
May load any card *until* balance is $2500 for 28 day period (not *up to*)
System will allow a $1000 load on a card with a $2000 balance so long as you are under $5000 for all cards over 28 day period. See below for optimal load sequence, $15/$5k a month after 1st month and $15k in 65 days for new cards.
Unload via ATM
Max $400/card/day (resets sometime in the wee hours of the morning)
First ATM w/d per month per card is free, based on 1st of the month (not rolling)+ any ATM owner fee.
Additional ATM w/d fee $3 + ATM fee.
When asked 'from account' choose 'checking.'
Possibly helpful link:
Free and Low-Cost ATMs
Unload by purchases
No fee. No cash back.
Additional information
Optimal load pattern for least number of $3 fees after first $500 load is $3k/$2k.
New accounts can load $15k in 65 days. 4 trips in a week for new cards, 3 in a week once a month after that.
Load always means load $1000. 28 day load total in parenthesis. 'Dropped' means that load is past the 28 day mark.
Day 1: Purchase card #1, load $500
Day 3: Purchase card #2, load $500; Load card #1 ($1500)
Day 5: load card #1 ($2500); load card #2 ($1500)
Day 7: load card #2 ($2500)
*********************************wait************
Day 29: ($2000)($2500) day 1 dropped
Day 31: ($1000)($2000) day 3 dropped
Day 32: load card #1 ($2000) ; load card #2 ($3000)
Day 33: ($1000)($2000) day 5 dropped
Day 34: load card #1 ($2000); load card #2 ($3000)
Day 35: ($2000) ($2000) day 7 dropped
Day 36: load card #1 ($3000), ($2000)
*********************************wait************
Day 61: load both cards, day 32 dropped
Day 63: load both cards
Day 65: load one card.
Repeat Loads waiting 29 days between loads, if you loaded both cards 29 days ago load both now, if you loaded one card, load one now. So next load date is 61+29= Day 90
FAQ
Q: Will this show up as a CA?
A: No, Target is not a financial institution.
Q: Even with xxxx cards?
A: Yes, no cards will be charged a CA.
Q: Can I load with Visa/MC/Amex Gift Cards?
A: Yes. Also the balance can be detected and drained if you ask to load more than the value on a prepaid it will just prompt you to give a second payment form. Great for draining random balances.
Q: How about Target gift cards?
A: The register prompts not to allow Target gift cards. They may not be hard coded, though.
Q: Will I get 5% off if I load with a Target Red card?
A: No. Sorry, I wish.
Q: Can I load multiple cards in one transaction?
A: Yes. Up to 3 cards can be loaded in one transaction, but each card will be charged $3.
Q: Why load multiple accounts in one transaction?
A: to avoid multiple $1003 transactions on same CC in minutes. This may trigger a fraud alert.
Q:Is there a max number of payment swipes?
A: Yes. Maximum swipes for split payments is 7, though other users have reported being able to swipe at least 10 gift cards for payment without problems.
Q: Any reason not to load multiple cards in one transaction?
A: Yes, when you have multiple small value gift cards to unload because of 7 swipe limit.
Q: The title says withdrawals are 1.3%, is that true?
A: No. Do the math. I'm not very good at math. Under 1.3% includes Costco ATM fees. It is not possible to edit a thread title, the fees are lower due to the ATM limit now being $400.
Q: What are the lowest possible fees with a fee-free ATM available?
A: For 2 cards, each loaded with $2.5K each over 2 months ($10K in total), you would pay $30 in loading fees (10 load fees of $3 each) and $63 in ATM fees (25 total withdrawals, with 1 free withdrawal per card each month, resulting in 21 ATM fees of $3 each).
Official fund loading from T&C
You may load funds to your Cards using your Funding Source until the Available Funds on any Card purchased by you equals $2,500 and on all card purchased by you equals $5,000... Not more than $1,000 may be loaded to any Card purchased by you in a 24 hour period using your Funding Source, not more than $5,000 may be loaded to all Cards purchased by you in any 28-day period using your Funding Source.
IMPORTANT MESSAGE IF YOU LOADED YOUR PREPAID CARD AT TARGET DURING THE CHRISTMAS SECURITY BREACH: It is important to have AMEX reissue your cards (just phone the number on the card and ask for a new card). Thieves have the numbers and pins and can drain your account at any time. AMEX does not appear to be using software to block suspicious activity, so they can drain it all. If you loaded your prepaid card at Target between November 27 and December 15, 2013, you are at significant risk of having your money stolen (several reported cases in April and May).
Purchase in store. Each store seems to have just one lane that has them on display (unlike the AMEX GC which are at most lanes). Package is larger than other gift cards, silver and red.
Not available in all states. Search here for possible locations
Note: Unlike AMEX's restriction on BB/Serve/Redbird where one person can only hold one of those, you can have an AFT (2, actually) while holding a BB, Serve, or Redbird
Need DL to purchase.
Max 1 purchase per ss# per day--this means one person can actually have 2 AFT cards, which is why there is a $5000 total limit for 2 cards (see below).
Max initial load $500 + $3 load fee.
May reload temp card as soon as verification of identity is complete, may take 48 hours. You can use an ATM with a temp card as soon as you're able to view your temp card PIN online. If you're unable to view your PIN online, you won't be able to use an ATM until you have the permanent card, which takes about two weeks.
Many stores now limit reloading to the service desk, and no longer at cashiers. The card must be swiped at a cash terminal to reload, not scanned! Ask cashiers to try if they don't seem to recognize the card. Ask if loading at service desk is a policy, it might just be a knee-jerk response from cashiers that don't know about the card. I have been told that a few times, "You need to go to the Service Desk," it has never been true. Say please and thank you.
Limits & Fees
Loading
Codes as purchase on all cards.
Load fee $3
Max $1000 per card in 24 hour period.
Max $5000 total for both cards per 28 day rolling period.
May load any card *until* balance is $2500 for 28 day period (not *up to*)
System will allow a $1000 load on a card with a $2000 balance so long as you are under $5000 for all cards over 28 day period. See below for optimal load sequence, $15/$5k a month after 1st month and $15k in 65 days for new cards.
Unload via ATM
Max $400/card/day (resets sometime in the wee hours of the morning)
First ATM w/d per month per card is free, based on 1st of the month (not rolling)+ any ATM owner fee.
Additional ATM w/d fee $3 + ATM fee.
When asked 'from account' choose 'checking.'
Possibly helpful link:
Free and Low-Cost ATMs
Unload by purchases
No fee. No cash back.
Additional information
Optimal load pattern for least number of $3 fees after first $500 load is $3k/$2k.
New accounts can load $15k in 65 days. 4 trips in a week for new cards, 3 in a week once a month after that.
Load always means load $1000. 28 day load total in parenthesis. 'Dropped' means that load is past the 28 day mark.
Day 1: Purchase card #1, load $500
Day 3: Purchase card #2, load $500; Load card #1 ($1500)
Day 5: load card #1 ($2500); load card #2 ($1500)
Day 7: load card #2 ($2500)
*********************************wait************
Day 29: ($2000)($2500) day 1 dropped
Day 31: ($1000)($2000) day 3 dropped
Day 32: load card #1 ($2000) ; load card #2 ($3000)
Day 33: ($1000)($2000) day 5 dropped
Day 34: load card #1 ($2000); load card #2 ($3000)
Day 35: ($2000) ($2000) day 7 dropped
Day 36: load card #1 ($3000), ($2000)
*********************************wait************
Day 61: load both cards, day 32 dropped
Day 63: load both cards
Day 65: load one card.
Repeat Loads waiting 29 days between loads, if you loaded both cards 29 days ago load both now, if you loaded one card, load one now. So next load date is 61+29= Day 90
FAQ
Q: Will this show up as a CA?
A: No, Target is not a financial institution.
Q: Even with xxxx cards?
A: Yes, no cards will be charged a CA.
Q: Can I load with Visa/MC/Amex Gift Cards?
A: Yes. Also the balance can be detected and drained if you ask to load more than the value on a prepaid it will just prompt you to give a second payment form. Great for draining random balances.
Q: How about Target gift cards?
A: The register prompts not to allow Target gift cards. They may not be hard coded, though.
Q: Will I get 5% off if I load with a Target Red card?
A: No. Sorry, I wish.
Q: Can I load multiple cards in one transaction?
A: Yes. Up to 3 cards can be loaded in one transaction, but each card will be charged $3.
Q: Why load multiple accounts in one transaction?
A: to avoid multiple $1003 transactions on same CC in minutes. This may trigger a fraud alert.
Q:Is there a max number of payment swipes?
A: Yes. Maximum swipes for split payments is 7, though other users have reported being able to swipe at least 10 gift cards for payment without problems.
Q: Any reason not to load multiple cards in one transaction?
A: Yes, when you have multiple small value gift cards to unload because of 7 swipe limit.
Q: The title says withdrawals are 1.3%, is that true?
A: No. Do the math. I'm not very good at math. Under 1.3% includes Costco ATM fees. It is not possible to edit a thread title, the fees are lower due to the ATM limit now being $400.
Q: What are the lowest possible fees with a fee-free ATM available?
A: For 2 cards, each loaded with $2.5K each over 2 months ($10K in total), you would pay $30 in loading fees (10 load fees of $3 each) and $63 in ATM fees (25 total withdrawals, with 1 free withdrawal per card each month, resulting in 21 ATM fees of $3 each).
Official fund loading from T&C
You may load funds to your Cards using your Funding Source until the Available Funds on any Card purchased by you equals $2,500 and on all card purchased by you equals $5,000... Not more than $1,000 may be loaded to any Card purchased by you in a 24 hour period using your Funding Source, not more than $5,000 may be loaded to all Cards purchased by you in any 28-day period using your Funding Source.
IMPORTANT MESSAGE IF YOU LOADED YOUR PREPAID CARD AT TARGET DURING THE CHRISTMAS SECURITY BREACH: It is important to have AMEX reissue your cards (just phone the number on the card and ask for a new card). Thieves have the numbers and pins and can drain your account at any time. AMEX does not appear to be using software to block suspicious activity, so they can drain it all. If you loaded your prepaid card at Target between November 27 and December 15, 2013, you are at significant risk of having your money stolen (several reported cases in April and May).
AmEx for Target: $400/week credit card ATM withdrawals for 1.3%+ in certain cities
Jul 31, 2014, 1:15 pm
#2356
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 201
If you mean, Serve is a much better place to start I 100% agree. I think for just getting started the best thing you can do is apply for an Ink and open a Serve Isis. Then figure out Walmart and locate other places near you that allow debit card to MO. Then I'd aim towards Buxx cards if they can get the TD version. Although the NW version has its place in my toolbox. Then Target. That way you already should have accounts to put the cash into set up, and you will understand several choices for how to spend down these cards.
They are great to hit min spend on Citi cards since some methods don't work well with City, but they are not the most efficient use of time.
They can be profitable with Am Ex GC loading.
Some Targets code as grocery with Visa. Possible play there.
They are nice to hit min spends fast.
They are great to hit min spend on Citi cards since some methods don't work well with City, but they are not the most efficient use of time.
They can be profitable with Am Ex GC loading.
Some Targets code as grocery with Visa. Possible play there.
They are nice to hit min spends fast.
Jul 31, 2014, 1:15 pm
#2357
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: SFO/SJC
Programs: MR,UR, UA, BA, AA, Hotels
Posts: 581
Ditto.
the fact that they are not automatically reissuing cards does suggest they'd prefer to wind these down. Or that by forcing a call they get to do another round of identity checks.
the fact that they are not automatically reissuing cards does suggest they'd prefer to wind these down. Or that by forcing a call they get to do another round of identity checks.
Jul 31, 2014, 1:35 pm
#2358
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 138
I didn't get the message, but then again, I also didn't load my card during Q4 2013. Did each of you who got this letter do so?
Jul 31, 2014, 1:38 pm
#2359
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 10
Just called (had to wait for my lunch break).
CSR said they had just been getting fraud on other accounts so the closed down several they thought were "at risk". Asked to confirm last 4 of SS, DOB, and address. Then they said they would send me a new card in 8 days, and then I would be good to go. So no worries if you get the e-mail.
CSR said they had just been getting fraud on other accounts so the closed down several they thought were "at risk". Asked to confirm last 4 of SS, DOB, and address. Then they said they would send me a new card in 8 days, and then I would be good to go. So no worries if you get the e-mail.
Jul 31, 2014, 2:17 pm
#2360
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Heaven
Posts: 552
damn ...got the same email on one of my cards. Calling them now..would report back
EDIT: same story as reported above. My replacement cards are on the way,
EDIT: same story as reported above. My replacement cards are on the way,
Last edited by coolblues; Jul 31, 2014 at 2:26 pm
Jul 31, 2014, 3:08 pm
#2362
Join Date: Nov 2009
Programs: DL DM-1MM HH Diamond
Posts: 361
On a related note, I have a fraudulent charge on one of my AXGC's. I loaded to AFT then see another charge for $10.87 posted immediately afterward from the same store. (No I didn't buy something and use the wrong card)
I have since drained the AXGC so no danger of more fraud. Also it is not enough $ to report and draw scrutiny to my account.
Just frustrating and wanted to vent.
I have since drained the AXGC so no danger of more fraud. Also it is not enough $ to report and draw scrutiny to my account.
Just frustrating and wanted to vent.
Last edited by 2B or back in coach; Jul 31, 2014 at 7:07 pm
Aug 1, 2014, 7:50 am
#2364
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 201
Hm, so I went into Target last night to set up my first AFT. Naturally, no one knew what they were doing - three different cashiers (including two managers) and two different registers (including CS desk). Big boss eventually managed to ring it up and charged me $500 on my VGC, but there was no identity confirmation, DL scan, SSN question, nothing.
Clerk called the number on the card and spoke with customer service who was no help - they told her she needed to collect my information during purchase, but she argued that there was no screen to do that, and yadda yadda. She eventually had to refund my $500 in cash (in small bills no less).
So anyone experience this before? How do I tell the clerks to collect my identity info? I was able to see the screen on one register but it prompted her for some kind of override before she gave up. Never got to anywhere that asked to collect info.
Clerk called the number on the card and spoke with customer service who was no help - they told her she needed to collect my information during purchase, but she argued that there was no screen to do that, and yadda yadda. She eventually had to refund my $500 in cash (in small bills no less).
So anyone experience this before? How do I tell the clerks to collect my identity info? I was able to see the screen on one register but it prompted her for some kind of override before she gave up. Never got to anywhere that asked to collect info.
Aug 1, 2014, 9:41 am
#2365
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 149
I wish I experienced that. It sounds awesome.
Aug 1, 2014, 3:49 pm
#2366
Join Date: May 2014
Location: LAX
Programs: AA, UA, DL, NSA, CIA, MIB
Posts: 537
Hm, so I went into Target last night to set up my first AFT. Naturally, no one knew what they were doing - three different cashiers (including two managers) and two different registers (including CS desk). Big boss eventually managed to ring it up and charged me $500 on my VGC, but there was no identity confirmation, DL scan, SSN question, nothing.
...... Never got to anywhere that asked to collect info.
...... Never got to anywhere that asked to collect info.
Aug 1, 2014, 8:02 pm
#2367
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 120
good way of meeting minimum spend for my new sapphire and Marriott chase cards.
Aug 1, 2014, 11:34 pm
#2368
Suspended
Join Date: May 2014
Location: ILG/PHL
Programs: Amex Plat, AA Gold, SPG Gold, Hyatt Gold, HHonors Gold, Carlson Gold
Posts: 1,075
Aug 2, 2014, 3:32 pm
#2369
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 11
@FredFnord, were you able to load at the Metreon City Target?
Aug 2, 2014, 5:39 pm
#2370
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 120
I still have bluebird and have no interest to switch to serve, even though serve is considered better after the demise of VR at CVS. Also, I can get plenty of MOs for cheap, but the less I leave my house, the better.