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T-Mobile Visa Prepaid - Bluebird Competitor for MS! (May not load w/CC)

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Old Jan 22, 2014, 3:27 pm
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
Last edit by: XP1
Warning: The T-M website contains an apparent Bill Pay function. Attempting to use it to pay credit card bills, or probably any significant $ amount bills of any sort, will get your account frozen. Ditto large scale ATM or MO withdrawals. The one method of unloading likely to keep you under the radar is small scale WM BP. Also likely to get you shut down, according to consensus reports, is running much more than $5K a month thru your account. You ignore this advice at your own risk.

SUMMARY

1. FAQ's
2. Free to use for TMo customers.
3. Issued by Bancorp
4. Load at T-mobile store (Registers are HARD CODED not to accept anything other than cash.)
5. or Reloadit, (find a grocery store that sold reloadit cards with a cc)

List Stores hard coded for cash or Credit Card accepted
T-Mobile (cash only)
Home Depot (cash only, hard coded)
Harris Teeter - Bought with CC on 2/16/14, hard coded denied CC on 5 APR 2014
Winn-Dixie - Hard coded for cash (debit may work, untested) as of Oct-2015
Meijer (Cash/Debit including VGC)
Giant Eagle/GetGo (Cash, Debit including VGC )
Safeways/Vons/Pavilions in California - most only Cash
Food Lion - Manager override now required. Many stores cash or bank debit only, but registers are not hard coded.
Save-A-Lot: Hard coded cash only
BigY: At least some stores have gone cash only as of 1/8
Acme in PA: Hard-coded cash only (Source)

Note on ReloadIt Cards
These come in two main flavors, up to $500, and up to $950 (there are ones that go up to $50, too). Both are $3.95 load fee. The older grey cards, have CASH ONLY on them. Even if the cash register is coded to accept it, many cashiers will be hesitant to even try, or get shut down by manager.
The maximum value reload will be $2,500.00. There is no maximum number of times you may value reload your Card Account per day; however, the maximum dollar amount of value reloads you may make to your Card Account in one day is $2,500.00. We will accept direct deposits larger than $2,500.00, but any direct deposit value reloaded to your Card Account will count against the $2,500.00 daily limit.
Value Reload Fee: Each time you value reload $300.00 or more to your Card Account in a single transaction, you will receive a credit for any fee you paid. If you are a T-Mobile Wireless Customer and value reload your Card Account at a participating T-Mobile Wireless location, you will receive a refund at the register (and will pay no fee for your value reload). If you value reload your Card Account for $300.00 or more via another method, we will issue a credit to your Card Account in the amount of the fee you paid.

In practice, a ReloadIt >= $300 loaded via the safe will receive credit for the fee. However, the terms formally state "Please note: Value reloads made from Reloadit Packs that have been placed in the Program Manager’s Reloadit `Safe' are not eligible for any fee credit." so this is not guaranteed.

The Limits:
Daily limit: $2500 during a rolling 24 hour period
Monthly limit: ?
Annual Limit: ?
Max Bill Pay (per transaction): = $5000 (tested March 6th, can do 'at least' a second for the same amount to the same payee momment later).
Daily ATM limit: $500 (rolling 24 hr rather than calendar day)

Total monthly bill pay limit: ?
The maximum value of your Card Account is restricted to $10,000.00

T-Mobile Prepaid Customer Service Email: [email protected]

If you need to escalate to the FDIC, Bancorp's registered FDIC# is 35444.
If you want to try to open an FDIC complaint or investigation you can send one in electronically at
http://www2.fdic.gov/IDASP/DIRSInfoRequest.asp

Alternative FDIC link to file complaint
https://www2.fdic.gov/starsmail/index.asp

FAQ
  • My fee did not get refunded. Has there been a policy change? ReloadIt Fees are processed overnight and could take 24 hours after you reload the card. As of 9/2015, ReloadIt cards added to the safe prior to loading on T-Mobile will still get the $3.95 refunded.
  • What is a safe transaction amount? There is no definite safe or unsafe amount. However, starting the last week of Jul 2015, people have been reporting the account frozen after transactions larger than $1K.
  • Can I use the BP Feature? It works well for some people. Many have reported getting shutdown after using it. A few have reported having the payments lost. Like all MS activity, use at your own risk.
  • Should I mix in some regular spending to make it look like this is my primary card? If it makes you feel better, go for it. However people who do this still get shutdown.
  • I can't log in. Did I get shutdown? Possibly. But more likely the website is having technical issues. Call in, o try to make a swipe purchase and test it out.
  • If I pay my taxes with this card, will I get shutdown? Large purchase raise red flags. Taxes are no different and there are reports of people being shut down for doing this.
  • What is a T-Mobile wireless customer? A qualifying T-Mobile wireless customer can be either a postpaid or prepaid customer. Source: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/24790705-post3703.html
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T-Mobile Visa Prepaid - Bluebird Competitor for MS! (May not load w/CC)

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Old May 1, 2014, 1:06 am
  #1576  
 
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 3,506
Originally Posted by tuscanyx
This is loading serve in wm. I'm hesitating to use it to load serve or buy mo there now since I'm sure too many reversals of hundreds and thousands of $ will lead to shut down.
What say you of this? I have not heard of issues using the Tmobile card to buy MOs or do WM BP.
ericdabbs is offline  
Old May 1, 2014, 6:57 am
  #1577  
 
Join Date: May 2011
Programs: US Airways Gold, Marriott Platinum, SW A List
Posts: 1,575
I got the same error message, but it looks like the BP went through (Hopefully)
heyeaglefn is offline  
Old May 1, 2014, 6:59 am
  #1578  
 
Join Date: May 2011
Programs: US Airways Gold, Marriott Platinum, SW A List
Posts: 1,575
Originally Posted by ChuckMango
actually upon closer inspection I got the same outcome... maybe it's a glitch?

Usually though when you send a BP it says "Payment For...". This time it only says "BP" spelled out. We'll see I guess...
Yes, it looks different, I got the error message too but I see the debit on the account.

I am assuming this error is due to their maintenance they just finished.
heyeaglefn is offline  
Old May 1, 2014, 8:12 am
  #1579  
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 51
Originally Posted by heyeaglefn
Yes, it looks different, I got the error message too but I see the debit on the account.

I am assuming this error is due to their maintenance they just finished.


And my payment processing time is 15 days... and told me I can do a premium process which need to pay 8.95 dollar....
shawnchan is offline  
Old May 1, 2014, 10:02 am
  #1580  
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 188
I'm assuming one should avoid using the T-Mob card to load Serve online for $200/day?
cashcow is offline  
Old May 1, 2014, 10:06 am
  #1581  
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,207
Originally Posted by tuscanyx
This is loading serve in wm. I'm hesitating to use it to load serve or buy mo there now since I'm sure too many reversals of hundreds and thousands of $ will lead to shut down.
Have you checked your daily or monthly limits? This is happening to a lot of people, but mostly because they forgot they loaded up on VRs at the beginning of the month when CVS shut down, and theyd already loaded their serve before they announced it could be loaded at WM...
hamokmonky is offline  
Old May 1, 2014, 2:42 pm
  #1582  
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: SAN
Programs: DL PM
Posts: 428
Has anyone had a call alerting them to a lock or shut down? I was already a T-Mobile customer and just got a robo call from Net Spend saying my account has been locked. I did two BPs early on, then stuck with ATM only. I have yet to call back to unlock.
BHArt is offline  
Old May 1, 2014, 2:52 pm
  #1583  
 
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 3,506
Originally Posted by BHArt
Has anyone had a call alerting them to a lock or shut down? I was already a T-Mobile customer and just got a robo call from Net Spend saying my account has been locked. I did two BPs early on, then stuck with ATM only. I have yet to call back to unlock.
I think in your situation it has everything to do with Netspend and not on the Tmobile side. Perhaps this question is more appropriate in the Netspend thread.
ericdabbs is offline  
Old May 1, 2014, 2:53 pm
  #1584  
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: SQSP
Programs: 1&2
Posts: 167
I'm avoiding online billpay like the plague based on this thread, but I just started with this card and was hoping for some datapoints re: WM BP/MO (or other store MO) and safe amounts/transaction per month. I know all my transactions will be large but I am still hoping to fly under the radar.
brero is offline  
Old May 1, 2014, 3:19 pm
  #1585  
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: SAN
Programs: DL PM
Posts: 428
Originally Posted by ericdabbs
I think in your situation it has everything to do with Netspend and not on the Tmobile side. Perhaps this question is more appropriate in the Netspend thread.
Just dawned on my that Blackhawk issues this card. Strangely, the T-Mobile card is the only active prepaid I have (Aside from my BB) which is why I immediately assumed it was about that. Of course the robo-call asked me to enter my 16 digit card number too at step 3 so I just hung up, figuring an unsolicited call asking for info was suspect at best. I guess I'll try the ATM withdrawal I had already planned for the day and see how that goes.

Last edited by BHArt; May 1, 2014 at 3:23 pm Reason: data
BHArt is offline  
Old May 1, 2014, 4:29 pm
  #1586  
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: SAN
Programs: DL PM
Posts: 428
For those interested I was able to run a small test purchase then an ATM withdrawal after receiving that call. The TM card is my only active non-BB prepaid card so this was either an error or some very adept spear phishing. Thankfully mental acuity took over at the point of being asked to enter the 16 digit card #.
BHArt is offline  
Old May 1, 2014, 8:33 pm
  #1587  
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 159
Originally Posted by hamokmonky
Have you checked your daily or monthly limits? This is happening to a lot of people, but mostly because they forgot they loaded up on VRs at the beginning of the month when CVS shut down, and theyd already loaded their serve before they announced it could be loaded at WM...
I know it's not my serve daily/monthly limit. I was able to load $500 using a vgc immediately after tm reversal. So the problem is with using tm card to load serve. I was able to unload tm card with cash back and bp afterwards. Maybe I'll try ATM the cash out to minimize bp occurrence.
tuscanyx is offline  
Old May 2, 2014, 9:53 am
  #1588  
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 61
I was charged $5.00 for "Monthly Maintenance Fee" on 4/27 even though I am a T-M subscribed and I loaded more than $500 to the card in Apr. Will the fee be reverse by itself or I need to call?
yasn is offline  
Old May 2, 2014, 9:57 am
  #1589  
 
Join Date: May 2011
Programs: US Airways Gold, Marriott Platinum, SW A List
Posts: 1,575
Originally Posted by yasn
I was charged $5.00 for "Monthly Maintenance Fee" on 4/27 even though I am a T-M subscribed and I loaded more than $500 to the card in Apr. Will the fee be reverse by itself or I need to call?
It will not be reversed on it's own and I even called in and it still has not been reversed. Not worth fighting it because it was two calls to just have a "ticket" opened that hasn't done anything.
heyeaglefn is offline  
Old May 2, 2014, 10:08 am
  #1590  
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 61
Originally Posted by heyeaglefn
It will not be reversed on it's own and I even called in and it still has not been reversed. Not worth fighting it because it was two calls to just have a "ticket" opened that hasn't done anything.
Thank you for the info. Does this happen often? I only have the card since Feb 2014 and this is the 1st monthly fee they charge me. Not a big deal if this is an once in a long while thing.
yasn is offline  


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