Jan 20, 2014, 12:11 pm
Last edit by: Alcibiades
These cards no longer earn fuel points.
TIP:Purchases of $500 or more require manager override. You will hold up the line and risk getting shutdown: Hint: $495 + $4.95 fee = $499.95
As of July 16, 2014, cards are not PINable(again) without registration; calling to activate sends to representative. Before Feb 3 2014 and after ~ Mar 17 2014, a PIN could/can be set for one-time use.
The Univision Prepaid Mastercard can only be used for credit card transactions*, not debit. Debit/PIN requires SSN registration for enhanced use. This is a standard restriction for this type of card.
*ask the cashier to enter a partial payment amount if your transaction exceeds your card's stored value, otherwise your card will seem broke/inactive.
Enhanced use reports...
The Univision Prepaid Mastercard is product from The Bancorp Bank.
Until 3/24 you could load with VR. Just like with the PIN working, not working, then working again, keep trying with VR and if you succeed, please report here.
TIP:Purchases of $500 or more require manager override. You will hold up the line and risk getting shutdown: Hint: $495 + $4.95 fee = $499.95
As of July 16, 2014, cards are not PINable(again) without registration; calling to activate sends to representative. Before Feb 3 2014 and after ~ Mar 17 2014, a PIN could/can be set for one-time use.
The Univision Prepaid Mastercard can only be used for credit card transactions*, not debit. Debit/PIN requires SSN registration for enhanced use. This is a standard restriction for this type of card.
*ask the cashier to enter a partial payment amount if your transaction exceeds your card's stored value, otherwise your card will seem broke/inactive.
Enhanced use reports...
- Monthly fee at ~30-day anniversary of registration
- ReloadIt and Moneypak reloading
- Do not load over 950 in a day, they will suspend your card
- VR reloading now seems broken
- Cashover(cashback) available with debit purchase at some registers
- ACH Pull does not work
The Univision Prepaid Mastercard is product from The Bancorp Bank.
Until 3/24 you could load with VR. Just like with the PIN working, not working, then working again, keep trying with VR and if you succeed, please report here.
Univision Prepaid Mastercard from Safeway/Vons
Jan 23, 2014, 9:47 pm
#106
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 14
Also, it would suck if you activate a new card and see a truck load of back fees from other cards.
I just can't make it through the spaghetti of the Terms to figure there is any risk of this.
Jan 23, 2014, 10:14 pm
#108
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2008
Programs: AA PLT 2MM
Posts: 2,026
For those looking to jump on the PayPower deal that is also running, I've done a little poking around and I for one think I am going to skip it. Found numerous pretty horrible reports of cards being frozen, funds being held, failure to verify identity, etc
http://creditcardforum.com/visa-mast...r-problem.html
http://www.complaintsboard.com/compl...22.html?page=3
http://creditcardforum.com/visa-mast...r-problem.html
http://www.complaintsboard.com/compl...22.html?page=3
Speaking of PayPower... I've decided to jump on this because the $0 fee is back again, and, they actually have packages marked with $0 fee now. I previously mentioned it was all screwed up last time with $5.95 being charged, despite the package saying $3.95, and more so the flyer saying $0.... At any rate, this time around problems all fixed.
No fuel points awarded, but, I've got more than enough from Univision, and, it seems very few takers for them, even when I offered to give them away to friends/colleagues. Thus, I prefer the $0 fee now. I'll buy some Univisions next month to replenish expiring points (assuming it still awards them at that time).
PINning the PayPower card and cashing out is just as easy as Univision. Have not waited more than a few hours to deplete them, so, can't comment on when a maintenance fee would be charged.
Jan 23, 2014, 10:31 pm
#109
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: So Cal
Programs: UA Gold/0.744MM, WN AL, Hyatt Diamond, MR Scum, Hertz PC, National Exec, Avis PC
Posts: 5,562
Lol!
Speaking of PayPower... I've decided to jump on this because the $0 fee is back again, and, they actually have packages marked with $0 fee now. I previously mentioned it was all screwed up last time with $5.95 being charged, despite the package saying $3.95, and more so the flyer saying $0.... At any rate, this time around problems all fixed.
No fuel points awarded, but, I've got more than enough from Univision, and, it seems very few takers for them, even when I offered to give them away to friends/colleagues. Thus, I prefer the $0 fee now. I'll buy some Univisions next month to replenish expiring points (assuming it still awards them at that time).
PINning the PayPower card and cashing out is just as easy as Univision. Have not waited more than a few hours to deplete them, so, can't comment on when a maintenance fee would be charged.
Speaking of PayPower... I've decided to jump on this because the $0 fee is back again, and, they actually have packages marked with $0 fee now. I previously mentioned it was all screwed up last time with $5.95 being charged, despite the package saying $3.95, and more so the flyer saying $0.... At any rate, this time around problems all fixed.
No fuel points awarded, but, I've got more than enough from Univision, and, it seems very few takers for them, even when I offered to give them away to friends/colleagues. Thus, I prefer the $0 fee now. I'll buy some Univisions next month to replenish expiring points (assuming it still awards them at that time).
PINning the PayPower card and cashing out is just as easy as Univision. Have not waited more than a few hours to deplete them, so, can't comment on when a maintenance fee would be charged.
Jan 23, 2014, 11:32 pm
#111
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: So Cal
Programs: UA Gold/0.744MM, WN AL, Hyatt Diamond, MR Scum, Hertz PC, National Exec, Avis PC
Posts: 5,562
Jan 24, 2014, 12:20 am
#112
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Midwest
Programs: AA LT Gold 1MM ,Hyatt Explorist,Marriott Platinum,HHonors Diamond
Posts: 364
Jan 25, 2014, 11:21 am
#113
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: SFO/SJC
Programs: MR,UR, UA, BA, AA, Hotels
Posts: 581
I guess someone had to test the limits.....
I registered the card. Sent $500 bill pay to CC no problem. Couple of days later I loaded $3k in VR. Got shutdown. Had to send in SSN, DL, Proof of Address and VR receipt.. They acknowledged receipt. Called in 2 days later. Compliance declared the docs invalid with no reason given (they are not, everything was above board and easily verified). Account closed. Nothing they can do, the balance 'goes to the state'.
I spent a long time (politely) arguing with CSR and a supervisor but they are clearly unempowered and I assume they are only used to shutdowns due to drug money (where seizure is legal). This card is targeted at Mexicans, with English-only speaking customers being the minority - the hold times for an English language CSR or supervisor are really long (which I actually find funny and deserved).
Obviously I'm flabbergasted and I'm not giving up on getting my money back. I've filed a query with FDIC and we'll see where that goes. Small claims court is a backup for now.
Lesson - don't register this card for MS. Just activate it an use it as a PP debit, not a reloadable PP debit.
I registered the card. Sent $500 bill pay to CC no problem. Couple of days later I loaded $3k in VR. Got shutdown. Had to send in SSN, DL, Proof of Address and VR receipt.. They acknowledged receipt. Called in 2 days later. Compliance declared the docs invalid with no reason given (they are not, everything was above board and easily verified). Account closed. Nothing they can do, the balance 'goes to the state'.
I spent a long time (politely) arguing with CSR and a supervisor but they are clearly unempowered and I assume they are only used to shutdowns due to drug money (where seizure is legal). This card is targeted at Mexicans, with English-only speaking customers being the minority - the hold times for an English language CSR or supervisor are really long (which I actually find funny and deserved).
Obviously I'm flabbergasted and I'm not giving up on getting my money back. I've filed a query with FDIC and we'll see where that goes. Small claims court is a backup for now.
Lesson - don't register this card for MS. Just activate it an use it as a PP debit, not a reloadable PP debit.
Jan 25, 2014, 1:18 pm
#114
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 657
I guess someone had to test the limits.....
I registered the card. Sent $500 bill pay to CC no problem. Couple of days later I loaded $3k in VR. Got shutdown. Had to send in SSN, DL, Proof of Address and VR receipt.. They acknowledged receipt. Called in 2 days later. Compliance declared the docs invalid with no reason given (they are not, everything was above board and easily verified). Account closed. Nothing they can do, the balance 'goes to the state'.
I spent a long time (politely) arguing with CSR and a supervisor but they are clearly unempowered and I assume they are only used to shutdowns due to drug money (where seizure is legal). This card is targeted at Mexicans, with English-only speaking customers being the minority - the hold times for an English language CSR or supervisor are really long (which I actually find funny and deserved).
Obviously I'm flabbergasted and I'm not giving up on getting my money back. I've filed a query with FDIC and we'll see where that goes. Small claims court is a backup for now.
Lesson - don't register this card for MS. Just activate it an use it as a PP debit, not a reloadable PP debit.
I registered the card. Sent $500 bill pay to CC no problem. Couple of days later I loaded $3k in VR. Got shutdown. Had to send in SSN, DL, Proof of Address and VR receipt.. They acknowledged receipt. Called in 2 days later. Compliance declared the docs invalid with no reason given (they are not, everything was above board and easily verified). Account closed. Nothing they can do, the balance 'goes to the state'.
I spent a long time (politely) arguing with CSR and a supervisor but they are clearly unempowered and I assume they are only used to shutdowns due to drug money (where seizure is legal). This card is targeted at Mexicans, with English-only speaking customers being the minority - the hold times for an English language CSR or supervisor are really long (which I actually find funny and deserved).
Obviously I'm flabbergasted and I'm not giving up on getting my money back. I've filed a query with FDIC and we'll see where that goes. Small claims court is a backup for now.
Lesson - don't register this card for MS. Just activate it an use it as a PP debit, not a reloadable PP debit.
Jan 26, 2014, 5:50 am
#116
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 97
The company itself can't seize anything, it would have to be initiated by state or federal LE. The only other path to the state is frozen balances are escheated to the state after a certain time...but that is after 1-7 years depending on state.
I would file a CFPB complaint as well (expect a month before your hear anything) and then send a letter to Bancorp referencing the two complaints your have filed. It will take some time but you will get your funds back.
The other option is to use a corporate address (Univision Card Services, P.O. Box 543000, Omaha, NE 68154) and send them a letter referencing your complaint #s. State that your have complied with their document request and that failure to release your funds within x days will result in legal action.
I would file a CFPB complaint as well (expect a month before your hear anything) and then send a letter to Bancorp referencing the two complaints your have filed. It will take some time but you will get your funds back.
The other option is to use a corporate address (Univision Card Services, P.O. Box 543000, Omaha, NE 68154) and send them a letter referencing your complaint #s. State that your have complied with their document request and that failure to release your funds within x days will result in legal action.
Last edited by AnalystGuy; Jan 26, 2014 at 5:58 am Reason: Added address
Jan 26, 2014, 9:16 am
#117
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: California
Posts: 1,129
If the money is really going to the state or the fed LE due to suspected laundry activities, your chances of never seeing the money again are very high even if no criminal charges are filed. The state/feds can still try to keep the money anyway in a civil action where the burden of proof is a lot lower. If the state/feds wanted to because they think the money came from drugs, they can make it too expensive via legal fees for you to ever get it back. At $3k, it's easy to make it too expensive to use a lawyer to get the money seized via civil forfeiture.
Jan 26, 2014, 9:27 am
#118
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 97
True, but unless the OP has other undisclosed activity that has already made him a target (I'm guessing extremely unlikely) the customer rep was just repeating something they heard. Like when the bank rep said that paying your bill in full is money laundering. In any event, the short time from loading to freezing makes me nearly certain this is an internal issue at Univision with no LE involvement. Seizing cash/items found on someone's person is one thing. Grabbing an account is another.
Jan 26, 2014, 9:47 am
#119
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: California
Posts: 1,129
On the other hand, maybe compliance got lazy and really decided to turn this account over to law enforcement. This I could believe. Of course, the OP is now a compliance headache so the account should be closed forever anyway.
In the real world in a poor neighborhood, it doesn't take much for the cops to put you into handcuffs. Plastic bags, a scale, and a few benjamins (or gift cards/VR) are enough to send you to a jail cell. If all you have is a scale and cash, I still think you might end up in jail. Then civil forfeiture to keep the cash so the cops get future funding for the war on drugs.
If you need to transport a scale frequently, I'd use a postal scale.
Scary stuff, eh?
In the real world in a poor neighborhood, it doesn't take much for the cops to put you into handcuffs. Plastic bags, a scale, and a few benjamins (or gift cards/VR) are enough to send you to a jail cell. If all you have is a scale and cash, I still think you might end up in jail. Then civil forfeiture to keep the cash so the cops get future funding for the war on drugs.
If you need to transport a scale frequently, I'd use a postal scale.
Scary stuff, eh?
Jan 26, 2014, 11:57 am
#120
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 14
Bummer,
Thanks for the heads up. Guess I need to liquidate this thing slowly.
I did try and find this in the GC PIN thread but could not find it. Does cash back at a POS look like an ATM pull or just an additional $XX in the total bill?
Thanks for the heads up. Guess I need to liquidate this thing slowly.
I did try and find this in the GC PIN thread but could not find it. Does cash back at a POS look like an ATM pull or just an additional $XX in the total bill?