Jan 22, 2014, 3:27 pm
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
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
T-Mobile Visa Prepaid - Bluebird Competitor for MS! (May not load w/CC)
Mar 6, 2014, 12:16 am
#766
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 3,509
I went first time to a Safeway in a city called Foster City today. The Reloadit rack had a very tell-tale pattern. The $500 cards were plentiful, and there was only one $950 card left. I read that to indicate there's rampant maxing out of Reloadit cards there. It's a 80k/yr median income neighborhood, so it's definitely not the underbanked who are hording the higher value Reloadit cards.
I went to self-checkout with the last $950 Reloadit card. I preemptively asked the self-checkout cashier if it's ok to purchase the Reloadit card with a credit card, because it was the end of the day, and I really didn't want to whip out credit card after he ok's the transaction and then to get shot down.
Cashier scrutinized the Reloadit card, decided and told me that it's no problem. Just then, a supervisor walked by, so he asked the supe.
Supe said, "Cards are cash only. He can reload it credit card." Story ends here.
I was reeling but without the motivation to protest that I was getting a reload and not a prepaid card. Now that I've had a few hours to replay the exchange in my head, I'm only getting more confused over what the supe really meant.
I went to self-checkout with the last $950 Reloadit card. I preemptively asked the self-checkout cashier if it's ok to purchase the Reloadit card with a credit card, because it was the end of the day, and I really didn't want to whip out credit card after he ok's the transaction and then to get shot down.
Cashier scrutinized the Reloadit card, decided and told me that it's no problem. Just then, a supervisor walked by, so he asked the supe.
Supe said, "Cards are cash only. He can reload it credit card." Story ends here.
I was reeling but without the motivation to protest that I was getting a reload and not a prepaid card. Now that I've had a few hours to replay the exchange in my head, I'm only getting more confused over what the supe really meant.
The other night when I was trying to buy a Reloadit at a Vons, the cashier scanned the Reloadit card and entered my $495 amount and was just about to take my credit card for payment but asked me if I was going to pay by credit. I said "yes" and she insisted she wanted to double check with the manager to see if I can pay with credit card. Of course once she phoned the manager or supervisor on duty, they said "Cash or debit only" and I said "No thanks" and left UGH!!. However 2 days later, I went to that same Vons during the morning and was able to buy a ReloadIt card with CC. The cashier didn't even blink and I made small talk with the cashier while the CC transaction was going through to distract her.
Last edited by ericdabbs; Mar 6, 2014 at 9:50 am
Mar 6, 2014, 2:11 am
#767
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: a hotel room, somewhere...
Posts: 962
I went first time to a Safeway in a city called Foster City today. The Reloadit rack had a very tell-tale pattern. The $500 cards were plentiful, and there was only one $950 card left. I read that to indicate there's rampant maxing out of Reloadit cards there. It's a 80k/yr median income neighborhood, so it's definitely not the underbanked who are hording the higher value Reloadit cards.
I went to self-checkout with the last $950 Reloadit card. I preemptively asked the self-checkout cashier if it's ok to purchase the Reloadit card with a credit card, because it was the end of the day, and I really didn't want to whip out credit card after he ok's the transaction and then to get shot down.
Cashier scrutinized the Reloadit card, decided and told me that it's no problem. Just then, a supervisor walked by, so he asked the supe.
Supe said, "Cards are cash only. He can reload it credit card." Story ends here.
I was reeling but without the motivation to protest that I was getting a reload and not a prepaid card. Now that I've had a few hours to replay the exchange in my head, I'm only getting more confused over what the supe really meant.
I went to self-checkout with the last $950 Reloadit card. I preemptively asked the self-checkout cashier if it's ok to purchase the Reloadit card with a credit card, because it was the end of the day, and I really didn't want to whip out credit card after he ok's the transaction and then to get shot down.
Cashier scrutinized the Reloadit card, decided and told me that it's no problem. Just then, a supervisor walked by, so he asked the supe.
Supe said, "Cards are cash only. He can reload it credit card." Story ends here.
I was reeling but without the motivation to protest that I was getting a reload and not a prepaid card. Now that I've had a few hours to replay the exchange in my head, I'm only getting more confused over what the supe really meant.
obviously you're not in sales- you never ask a question that can be answered with an answer you don't want to hear. Of course, in MS, you just plain don't ask questions.
additionally, self serve is not the way to go. they have lower limits than a regular check stand. the night shift in my area cannot do any card over $100 without a mgr. ergo, i do not go late, and i don't go to self serve. btw, it takes 3 swipes of the mgr over-ride badge to get you checked out at self serve- just say no.
if you had gone to a regular checkstand, done a card for $475, you'd have been in and out. we know there is a memo out there. going for over $500 is just asking for it...
Mar 6, 2014, 4:14 am
#768
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: HNL
Programs: UA 1K; Marriott Plat; Hyatt Diamond; CCarlson Elite
Posts: 641
Interesting experience: I've made two test BPs to my AMEX over the past 5 days; the first on 1 March for $9 and the 2nd last night on 5 March for $5. Even tho i went thru the normal BP sequence and received a confirmation, neither of those two BPs appear on my account summary. All other larger BPs to other CCs have gone thru fine. Anyone else experiencing this?
Mar 6, 2014, 8:44 am
#769
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 274
I just picked up my first two reloadit packs at two different Safeway stores. One cashier said they were cash or debit only, but two other cashiers put them through just fine. Interestingly, I was able to use a CC for an old-style Reloadit that said "cash only" on the box. So clearly, it's not coded into the register or anything.
When I'm at Safeway, I always just swipe my credit card as the cashier is scanning my purchase, so they don't even have to ask how I'm paying--it's already in their system. I doubt it really makes a difference, but it just skips a potential stumbling block.
When I'm at Safeway, I always just swipe my credit card as the cashier is scanning my purchase, so they don't even have to ask how I'm paying--it's already in their system. I doubt it really makes a difference, but it just skips a potential stumbling block.
Mar 6, 2014, 9:08 am
#770
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 829
urgh. it's stuff like this that gets us shut down. i made a post about this a couple days ago- a shame you didn't read it.
obviously you're not in sales- you never ask a question that can be answered with an answer you don't want to hear. Of course, in MS, you just plain don't ask questions.
additionally, self serve is not the way to go. they have lower limits than a regular check stand. the night shift in my area cannot do any card over $100 without a mgr. ergo, i do not go late, and i don't go to self serve. btw, it takes 3 swipes of the mgr over-ride badge to get you checked out at self serve- just say no.
if you had gone to a regular checkstand, done a card for $475, you'd have been in and out. we know there is a memo out there. going for over $500 is just asking for it...
obviously you're not in sales- you never ask a question that can be answered with an answer you don't want to hear. Of course, in MS, you just plain don't ask questions.
additionally, self serve is not the way to go. they have lower limits than a regular check stand. the night shift in my area cannot do any card over $100 without a mgr. ergo, i do not go late, and i don't go to self serve. btw, it takes 3 swipes of the mgr over-ride badge to get you checked out at self serve- just say no.
if you had gone to a regular checkstand, done a card for $475, you'd have been in and out. we know there is a memo out there. going for over $500 is just asking for it...
even worse, this saru person is in my area...I am all in for the limited access to this board. ppl come here, they don't wanna read, they don't wanna learn, they wanna load $10K a day and 10mln miles a year. Darn.
{Rant mode off}.
Mar 6, 2014, 11:15 am
#771
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 121
both cards shutdown again. From the responses on the FT it looks like they did a wave of shutdowns. I called in and was told this time I need to provide docs (DL/SS/proof of address). debating what to do.
im sure folks are going to ask so here it is:
after cards were unblocked in feb, took a break until march.
loaded 2.5k additional in march. liquidated via bp with no payment higher than 498. still no tmob account. no card swipes. 2.5 loaded in 1k/1.5k increments 5 days apart.
im sure folks are going to ask so here it is:
after cards were unblocked in feb, took a break until march.
loaded 2.5k additional in march. liquidated via bp with no payment higher than 498. still no tmob account. no card swipes. 2.5 loaded in 1k/1.5k increments 5 days apart.
Mar 6, 2014, 11:25 am
#772
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 3,509
both cards shutdown again. From the responses on the FT it looks like they did a wave of shutdowns. I called in and was told this time I need to provide docs (DL/SS/proof of address). debating what to do.
im sure folks are going to ask so here it is:
after cards were unblocked in feb, took a break until march.
loaded 2.5k additional in march. liquidated via bp with no payment higher than 498. still no tmob account. no card swipes. 2.5 loaded in 1k/1.5k increments 5 days apart.
im sure folks are going to ask so here it is:
after cards were unblocked in feb, took a break until march.
loaded 2.5k additional in march. liquidated via bp with no payment higher than 498. still no tmob account. no card swipes. 2.5 loaded in 1k/1.5k increments 5 days apart.
Maybe not try to zero the account as soon as you load or ever. Keep at least $1 to $5 in the account. Its not going to kill you to not have that extra $5 in funds for BP. Besides you'll use those $5 in the next BP especially if you do multiple payments per month.
Last edited by ericdabbs; Mar 6, 2014 at 11:41 am
Mar 6, 2014, 11:27 am
#773
Join Date: May 2008
Programs: AA PLT 2MM
Posts: 2,026
both cards shutdown again. From the responses on the FT it looks like they did a wave of shutdowns. I called in and was told this time I need to provide docs (DL/SS/proof of address). debating what to do.
im sure folks are going to ask so here it is:
after cards were unblocked in feb, took a break until march.
loaded 2.5k additional in march. liquidated via bp with no payment higher than 498. still no tmob account. no card swipes. 2.5 loaded in 1k/1.5k increments 5 days apart.
im sure folks are going to ask so here it is:
after cards were unblocked in feb, took a break until march.
loaded 2.5k additional in march. liquidated via bp with no payment higher than 498. still no tmob account. no card swipes. 2.5 loaded in 1k/1.5k increments 5 days apart.
I had a $99xx.xx CC bill to pay. Loaded up to that much over the course of 4 days and then went to pay the bill. Confirmed at that point that max bill pay is indeed $5000... so did that amount instead. Thought I'd see if I could do another right after for $49xx.xx (probably not the best move if I want to keep this going, but, I figure these all get shut down eventually and for far less it seems), it was initiated as well. At any rate, I seem to have missed this round of shut downs. Still in business, granted only a small balance in the account now.
Mar 6, 2014, 11:34 am
#774
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 235
if they have some sort of limit, calendar month, rolling, what have you, they should let people know what it is.
if i was to make an semi-educated or lets say experiential guess, i would say over 5k in 30 rolling days is some sort of red flag.
if i was to make an semi-educated or lets say experiential guess, i would say over 5k in 30 rolling days is some sort of red flag.
Mar 6, 2014, 11:35 am
#775
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 3,509
I just picked up my first two reloadit packs at two different Safeway stores. One cashier said they were cash or debit only, but two other cashiers put them through just fine. Interestingly, I was able to use a CC for an old-style Reloadit that said "cash only" on the box. So clearly, it's not coded into the register or anything.
When I'm at Safeway, I always just swipe my credit card as the cashier is scanning my purchase, so they don't even have to ask how I'm paying--it's already in their system. I doubt it really makes a difference, but it just skips a potential stumbling block.
When I'm at Safeway, I always just swipe my credit card as the cashier is scanning my purchase, so they don't even have to ask how I'm paying--it's already in their system. I doubt it really makes a difference, but it just skips a potential stumbling block.
Mar 6, 2014, 11:38 am
#776
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Los Angles
Posts: 2,101
I have been following this thread, I think U are the only one writing about the 'wave' shut downs. What am I missing?
Mar 6, 2014, 11:52 am
#778
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 3,509
Hmm...so is the team looking for ppl who only do "load" and "unload"? I have yet to get my permanent card yet but I guess you have to mix in ordinary purchases? I am not sure why did your friend asked if he was in the "clear from here on out"? That just screams to the risk/fraud dept "OMG this guy is going to ramp up again as if nothing happened". Do you happen to know how much was your friend doing in turns of loads and BP unloads before he got prompted for suspension?
Mar 6, 2014, 11:54 am
#779
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 91
It seems the people that get accounts frozen do not have a T mobile account or any prior relationship. This prompts T mobile to ask for further verification. Has anyone with a T mobile cell phone account had their prepaid visa account shut down?
Mar 6, 2014, 11:57 am
#780
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 222
Um, that's funny. What are we supposed to do? Load and save? Didnt know this was a savings account. I guess the party is coming to a hault for some. Hope to stay as long as they allow.