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
Mar 13, 2013, 7:48 pm
#706
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,345
I see your point, but I'd rather "overload" and have to deal with the balance than underload and pay more fee per dollar manufactured. I have a free ATM, so it's only $3 for me after the first one, so $3 for $400 is great (considering that my Target is labeled as a grocery store and I get bonus points on my card).
If you have a balance left over and don't want to ATM it, AP is a great way to liquidate.
If you have a balance left over and don't want to ATM it, AP is a great way to liquidate.
Mar 14, 2013, 12:16 am
#707
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: LAS
Programs: DL PM, UA PS, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 4,904
Interesting story about AEFT used in a counterfeit scheme ... the thieves used counterfeit cash to load the cards. http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2013/...eiting-scheme/
Mar 14, 2013, 10:22 am
#708
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Upper Sternistan
Posts: 10,037
Interesting story about AEFT used in a counterfeit scheme ... the thieves used counterfeit cash to load the cards. http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2013/...eiting-scheme/
Mar 14, 2013, 10:29 am
#709
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: DFW/DAL
Programs: AA 1MM Gold, Marriott Gold, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 1,524
No ...., haha. But also note that the article says American Express gift cards bought at Target, NOT loading American Express for Target. I doubt these guys would have used their real identities to get the pre-paid card. Much easier to just buy the Amex gift cards and then use those with no name, address, SSN, etc.. checked. Just my $.02
These guys are why I always get odd looks when buy large quantities of gift cards, loading Target Amex, buying VR's, etc... I am usually dressed for work still when I go so I often get the "you don't look like the kind of people that do this type of thing, so I'll do it anyway" thing lol. Glad that's all it takes, ha.
Mar 14, 2013, 2:02 pm
#710
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 17,419
No ...., haha. But also note that the article says American Express gift cards bought at Target, NOT loading American Express for Target. I doubt these guys would have used their real identities to get the pre-paid card. Much easier to just buy the Amex gift cards and then use those with no name, address, SSN, etc.. checked. Just my $.02
These guys are why I always get odd looks when buy large quantities of gift cards, loading Target Amex, buying VR's, etc... I am usually dressed for work still when I go so I often get the "you don't look like the kind of people that do this type of thing, so I'll do it anyway" thing lol. Glad that's all it takes, ha.
These guys are why I always get odd looks when buy large quantities of gift cards, loading Target Amex, buying VR's, etc... I am usually dressed for work still when I go so I often get the "you don't look like the kind of people that do this type of thing, so I'll do it anyway" thing lol. Glad that's all it takes, ha.
Mar 14, 2013, 4:28 pm
#711
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Upper Sternistan
Posts: 10,037
No ...., haha. But also note that the article says American Express gift cards bought at Target, NOT loading American Express for Target. I doubt these guys would have used their real identities to get the pre-paid card. Much easier to just buy the Amex gift cards and then use those with no name, address, SSN, etc.. checked. Just my $.02
These guys are why I always get odd looks when buy large quantities of gift cards, loading Target Amex, buying VR's, etc... I am usually dressed for work still when I go so I often get the "you don't look like the kind of people that do this type of thing, so I'll do it anyway" thing lol. Glad that's all it takes, ha.
These guys are why I always get odd looks when buy large quantities of gift cards, loading Target Amex, buying VR's, etc... I am usually dressed for work still when I go so I often get the "you don't look like the kind of people that do this type of thing, so I'll do it anyway" thing lol. Glad that's all it takes, ha.
Mar 14, 2013, 5:40 pm
#712
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 17,419
As a newbie on this one, the only thing that seems troubling about Target AMEX is that you have to "cash out" at an ATM and then (presumably) take the money to your bank and redeposit it.
Is there any risk of your bank flagging you for some nefarious scheme because you're constantly depositing greenbacks? Any way to limit this risk? There's discussion of the risk of "structuring" on some other threads in this forum, but would Target cash be enough to present this problem?
Is there any risk of your bank flagging you for some nefarious scheme because you're constantly depositing greenbacks? Any way to limit this risk? There's discussion of the risk of "structuring" on some other threads in this forum, but would Target cash be enough to present this problem?
Mar 14, 2013, 5:53 pm
#713
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: LAS
Programs: DL PM, UA PS, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 4,904
As a newbie on this one, the only thing that seems troubling about Target AMEX is that you have to "cash out" at an ATM and then (presumably) take the money to your bank and redeposit it.
Is there any risk of your bank flagging you for some nefarious scheme because you're constantly depositing greenbacks? Any way to limit this risk? There's discussion of the risk of "structuring" on some other threads in this forum, but would Target cash be enough to present this problem?
Is there any risk of your bank flagging you for some nefarious scheme because you're constantly depositing greenbacks? Any way to limit this risk? There's discussion of the risk of "structuring" on some other threads in this forum, but would Target cash be enough to present this problem?
If anything, I keep a paper trail of all my ATM receipts for things like the Target Amex, so the bank knows what I'm doing if they ask me (but they haven't, and I've been doing this for a while).
I also have given the cash for face value via a check to relatives who need petty cash or change for businesses. And I dropped maybe $40 on Girl Scout cookies, and was okay using cash since it had at least gone through the miles cycle at least once
Now that the Wells Fargo play is dying, I will be depositing more cash into that ATM. I have BofA, Wells, US Bank, and Chase ... I avoid depositing into Chase a lot because many of these prepaid cards are funded by Chase and I don't want them to see a circular track if it pops up. Same with US Bank with Buxx. BofA and (soon) Wells are third parties to these schemes.
Mar 14, 2013, 6:56 pm
#714
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 17,419
I have been doing this for a while. I have 4 different bank accounts, all within one block of each other on the main road near where I live. Each allows me to deposit cash at ATMs, and allow 40-50 bills in the first go (ie, one transaction). That's $1000 in 20s. I have deposited up to $2800 in cash in one go at one ATM and haven't heard anything about it, though I am wary of crossing $3000.
Mar 14, 2013, 7:09 pm
#715
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: LAS
Programs: DL PM, UA PS, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 4,904
Mar 14, 2013, 9:14 pm
#716
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Upper Sternistan
Posts: 10,037
I definitely prefer ATMs, but man, in my neighborhood, they're really finicky. They spit bills back out and beep and get mad. At least a teller just bucks up and takes my cash.
Mar 14, 2013, 9:54 pm
#717
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: LAX/SNA
Programs: AA, Hilton Gold
Posts: 3,887
As a newbie on this one, the only thing that seems troubling about Target AMEX is that you have to "cash out" at an ATM and then (presumably) take the money to your bank and redeposit it.
Is there any risk of your bank flagging you for some nefarious scheme because you're constantly depositing greenbacks? Any way to limit this risk? There's discussion of the risk of "structuring" on some other threads in this forum, but would Target cash be enough to present this problem?
Is there any risk of your bank flagging you for some nefarious scheme because you're constantly depositing greenbacks? Any way to limit this risk? There's discussion of the risk of "structuring" on some other threads in this forum, but would Target cash be enough to present this problem?
I might be bending the truth, but it's still true.
Mar 15, 2013, 8:03 am
#718
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: BOS
Programs: AA, SPG, UA, CSP
Posts: 338
I need to meet a min and dont want to go all out on VRs. Thought about maybe putting about 1k using this method. Any idea if i use an Amex/Chase card to load the prepaid card how it shows up on the cc statement?
I am trying to diversify my spending - hoping it just shows as Target activity.
Thanks in advance
I am trying to diversify my spending - hoping it just shows as Target activity.
Thanks in advance
Mar 15, 2013, 8:15 am
#719
Join Date: May 2011
Location: NYC
Programs: UA 1K, AS MVP Gold, TK *Gold, HHonors Gold, SPG Plat, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 570
yep, this is a legitimate concern. I used to be quite involved in certain deals that involved moving around thousands of $$$ in cash. while there is no official number that makes activities suspicious I was always wary of depositing any amount greater than 10k in one transaction.
Sit on the cash and as others have mentioned spread your deposit across a few banks and keep the amounts manageable and you'll be fine.
If you only have one bank account then open up a couple more and you'll also get another 200-300 in sign on bonuses (I just got my wife to open up a Chase account w/a $200 bonus).
Sit on the cash and as others have mentioned spread your deposit across a few banks and keep the amounts manageable and you'll be fine.
If you only have one bank account then open up a couple more and you'll also get another 200-300 in sign on bonuses (I just got my wife to open up a Chase account w/a $200 bonus).
As a newbie on this one, the only thing that seems troubling about Target AMEX is that you have to "cash out" at an ATM and then (presumably) take the money to your bank and redeposit it.
Is there any risk of your bank flagging you for some nefarious scheme because you're constantly depositing greenbacks? Any way to limit this risk? There's discussion of the risk of "structuring" on some other threads in this forum, but would Target cash be enough to present this problem?
Is there any risk of your bank flagging you for some nefarious scheme because you're constantly depositing greenbacks? Any way to limit this risk? There's discussion of the risk of "structuring" on some other threads in this forum, but would Target cash be enough to present this problem?
Mar 15, 2013, 9:32 am
#720
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 639
yep, this is a legitimate concern. I used to be quite involved in certain deals that involved moving around thousands of $$$ in cash. while there is no official number that makes activities suspicious I was always wary of depositing any amount greater than 10k in one transaction.
Sit on the cash and as others have mentioned spread your deposit across a few banks and keep the amounts manageable and you'll be fine.
If you only have one bank account then open up a couple more and you'll also get another 200-300 in sign on bonuses (I just got my wife to open up a Chase account w/a $200 bonus).
Sit on the cash and as others have mentioned spread your deposit across a few banks and keep the amounts manageable and you'll be fine.
If you only have one bank account then open up a couple more and you'll also get another 200-300 in sign on bonuses (I just got my wife to open up a Chase account w/a $200 bonus).