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
Oct 30, 2014, 10:04 am
#3001
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 5
If anything, Target would have increased its cybersecurity safeguards. In any event, no point in being an ostrich, otherwise you'd have to give up Chass cards too (see http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/chase...ot-hacked.html).
There are several services that offer free credit report monitoring. Although the premium services offer more comprehensive coverage, the free versions are sufficient to see when there's been a fraudulent pull on your report.
The third rule of MS club, after don't call and see rule one, is CYA, and by A, I mean your credit report
There are several services that offer free credit report monitoring. Although the premium services offer more comprehensive coverage, the free versions are sufficient to see when there's been a fraudulent pull on your report.
The third rule of MS club, after don't call and see rule one, is CYA, and by A, I mean your credit report
Oct 30, 2014, 10:31 am
#3002
Join Date: May 2014
Location: LAX
Programs: AA, UA, DL, NSA, CIA, MIB
Posts: 537
I just received 2 new CC's and wanted to make sure they wouldn't bounce me for Fraud Alerts when I go to load up.
AmEx was a breeze, I used their online chat and let them know I was going to make large purchases at Target.
Citi not so easy, I guess I could have sent them a Secured Message but I decided to call. They transferred me to a Security blah blah blah group and they had to verify everything....and send a text message to me for confirmation. Then asked me what date I might be making the large purchase and how much. Of course I will be making several in the next 3 months so I through out a date and amount. Oye!
Hopefully I won't have to deal with the clerk at Target telling me my load(s) didn't happen.
AmEx was a breeze, I used their online chat and let them know I was going to make large purchases at Target.
Citi not so easy, I guess I could have sent them a Secured Message but I decided to call. They transferred me to a Security blah blah blah group and they had to verify everything....and send a text message to me for confirmation. Then asked me what date I might be making the large purchase and how much. Of course I will be making several in the next 3 months so I through out a date and amount. Oye!
Hopefully I won't have to deal with the clerk at Target telling me my load(s) didn't happen.
Oct 30, 2014, 2:05 pm
#3004
Join Date: May 2014
Location: New York
Posts: 391
Smoothmunkey: My concern is on how the data is stored. I'm not worried about Chase since the sensitive info is already encrypted, meaning you'll need a key to see the plain text version. However, when signing up for this Amex card for target, your driver license is recorded, and you'll need to enter your SSN. The thing is, on the confirmation page, it shows both your SSN and phone number in plain text. So I am wondering if the customer's info is encrypted at all.
Oct 30, 2014, 2:54 pm
#3005
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Down South, The Desert
Programs: Marriot Rewards, Southwest Rapid rewards, Emerald Club, Avis Preferred
Posts: 1,871
Oct 30, 2014, 2:59 pm
#3006
Join Date: May 2014
Location: LAX
Programs: AA, UA, DL, NSA, CIA, MIB
Posts: 537
Oct 30, 2014, 7:35 pm
#3007
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 120
Citi not so easy, I guess I could have sent them a Secured Message but I decided to call. They transferred me to a Security blah blah blah group and they had to verify everything....and send a text message to me for confirmation. Then asked me what date I might be making the large purchase and how much. Of course I will be making several in the next 3 months so I through out a date and amount. Oye!
Oct 30, 2014, 7:49 pm
#3008
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Las Vegas
Programs: DL DM, AA PlatPro, Hilton DM, Hyatt Glob, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC, National EE
Posts: 1,532
"Void Value Load"
I think this is a common occurrence right now. It seems to be a technical problem... this happened to one of my SO's cards. We waited about 5 days, but it was still voided and the CC charge went through. Talked to CS and they said it would be fixed in 2-4 hours... of course wasn't, so talked to them again and got someone that fixed it immediately.
Today I had the same thing happen to one of my cards. I called in and was given the run around... have to fax in receipt etc (who uses fax machines anymore?). HUCA. Then got someone to load it immediately.
I think this is a common occurrence right now. It seems to be a technical problem... this happened to one of my SO's cards. We waited about 5 days, but it was still voided and the CC charge went through. Talked to CS and they said it would be fixed in 2-4 hours... of course wasn't, so talked to them again and got someone that fixed it immediately.
Today I had the same thing happen to one of my cards. I called in and was given the run around... have to fax in receipt etc (who uses fax machines anymore?). HUCA. Then got someone to load it immediately.
Oct 31, 2014, 5:20 am
#3009
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Cambridge, MA
Programs: AAdvantage EXP
Posts: 278
Update. The charges have since posted and the funds never went into my AFT card. Another user said same thing happened to him and he went back to the store and showed them the transaction and they voided it. I wont have the time to try this until Saturday myself though.
Mine ended up loading and then voiding the load later the same day. So, I called AFT and seemed to get to someone who understood. I faxed in a copy of my load receipt. I called back and was told that it looked good and my AFT account should be credited with the load within 48 hours.
Oct 31, 2014, 5:31 am
#3010
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: ORD/MDW
Programs: AA EXP, DL-Plat, WN-CP | Hotels: Choice-Gld, IHG-Plt, Rad-Gld, HH-Dia, Hyatt-Glob, Marriott-LtPlt
Posts: 2,889
Update. The charges have since posted and the funds never went into my AFT card. Another user said same thing happened to him and he went back to the store and showed them the transaction and they voided it. I wont have the time to try this until Saturday myself though.
Mine ended up loading and then voiding the load later the same day. So, I called AFT and seemed to get to someone who understood. I faxed in a copy of my load receipt. I called back and was told that it looked good and my AFT account should be credited with the load within 48 hours.
Oct 31, 2014, 2:16 pm
#3011
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 394
Yeah, I spent 45 minutes on the phone today, had to fax in receipt twice, gov ID and copy of card and still haven't seen my balance fixed, even though they said it would be. Guess its time to call again.
Edit: Finally credited. Wow that was awful.
Edit: Finally credited. Wow that was awful.
Last edited by miadeals; Oct 31, 2014 at 10:00 pm
Nov 1, 2014, 9:42 am
#3012
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 88
for those calling in to fix the Void Value Load problems, did they question you on your transaction activities? This is assuming you're just loading and ATM withdrawing only, which I think the majority of us are doing.
Nov 1, 2014, 3:16 pm
#3013
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Las Vegas
Programs: DL DM, AA PlatPro, Hilton DM, Hyatt Glob, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC, National EE
Posts: 1,532
Nov 1, 2014, 4:23 pm
#3014
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 394
And I only have target loads and ATM withdrawals.
Nov 2, 2014, 12:23 am
#3015
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 201
Essentially, you're at the mercy of the bank to find your missing cash and almost 99% of the time, they will identify your card and give it its cash back. I think the problem is on Amex's network side because this issue is repeated throughout the this thread but at the end of the day, it still works out