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 $1K.
- Can I use the BP Feature? It works well for some people. Many have reported getting shutdown after using it. A few have reported having the payments lost. Like all MS activity, use at your own risk.
- Should I mix in some regular spending to make it look like this is my primary card? If it makes you feel better, go for it. However people who do this still get shutdown.
- I can't log in. Did I get shutdown? Possibly. But more likely the website is having technical issues. Call in, o try to make a swipe purchase and test it out.
- If I pay my taxes with this card, will I get shutdown? Large purchase raise red flags. Taxes are no different and there are reports of people being shut down for doing this.
- What is a T-Mobile wireless customer? A qualifying T-Mobile wireless customer can be either a postpaid or prepaid customer. Source: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/24790705-post3703.html
T-Mobile Visa Prepaid - Bluebird Competitor for MS! (May not load w/CC)
Mar 7, 2014, 11:14 pm
#872
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 632
You lucky ........ I can't get anywhere with the few WD's around these parts.
Mar 8, 2014, 4:29 am
#873
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: BZN
Programs: AA:LT Platinum DL:LT Gold UA:1P MAR:LT Titanium
Posts: 8,291
Mar 8, 2014, 7:29 am
#874
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 222
Another point. why do they allow loading if the account is blocked? loaded 2500 last night. got fees reimbursed today. but no BP.
Mar 8, 2014, 12:17 pm
#875
Join Date: Jul 2009
Programs: None
Posts: 135
Got the same message while trying to BP. CSR says my acct. is blocked. Risk Dept. will contact me in 2-3 days. really? 2-3 days so that they can ask me to fax info over? wow
Another point. why do they allow loading if the account is blocked? loaded 2500 last night. got fees reimbursed today. but no BP.
Another point. why do they allow loading if the account is blocked? loaded 2500 last night. got fees reimbursed today. but no BP.
Tried to do a debit transaction for 10$ and declined. Now trying bill pay and says invalid info.
Guess game over
Mar 8, 2014, 2:37 pm
#877
Join Date: May 2008
Programs: AA PLT 2MM
Posts: 2,026
When you guys are saying your BP functionality is blocked... at which stage do you see that?
Simply clicking 'bill pay' ? Or the last stage when you've pulled up the payee, entered the amount and clicked 'submit payment' ? Or somewhere in between.
Simply clicking 'bill pay' ? Or the last stage when you've pulled up the payee, entered the amount and clicked 'submit payment' ? Or somewhere in between.
Mar 8, 2014, 2:41 pm
#878
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 222
at the very last step after hitting submit, it says "invalid" something rather. and for the first time, i saw the limit of $5k when trying to BP from the website. it says the amount has to be from 0 to 5k. all my BPs were from the phone app. never had issues until today.
Mar 8, 2014, 3:00 pm
#879
Join Date: May 2008
Programs: AA PLT 2MM
Posts: 2,026
at the very last step after hitting submit, it says "invalid" something rather. and for the first time, i saw the limit of $5k when trying to BP from the website. it says the amount has to be from 0 to 5k. all my BPs were from the phone app. never had issues until today.
Mar 8, 2014, 6:16 pm
#881
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: LAX
Posts: 670
FT needs to be better about understanding the difference between a fraud alert/freeze and a shutdown. If the institution is asking you to submit documents verifying your identity so they can reopen your account, that is not a shutdown. A shutdown is when they tell you to bug off because they don't want your business anymore. People in this thread and others seem to freak out unnecessarily about fraud prevention methods as if it is some circuitous method for institutions to shutdown MSers. If an institution wants to shut you down for MS, they don't need to disguise it in terms of a fraud alert -- they can and will just shut you down.
Mar 8, 2014, 7:14 pm
#882
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 829
FT needs to be better about understanding the difference between a fraud alert/freeze and a shutdown. If the institution is asking you to submit documents verifying your identity so they can reopen your account, that is not a shutdown. A shutdown is when they tell you to bug off because they don't want your business anymore. People in this thread and others seem to freak out unnecessarily about fraud prevention methods as if it is some circuitous method for institutions to shutdown MSers. If an institution wants to shut you down for MS, they don't need to disguise it in terms of a fraud alert -- they can and will just shut you down.
Mar 8, 2014, 8:43 pm
#883
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 222
FT needs to be better about understanding the difference between a fraud alert/freeze and a shutdown. If the institution is asking you to submit documents verifying your identity so they can reopen your account, that is not a shutdown. A shutdown is when they tell you to bug off because they don't want your business anymore. People in this thread and others seem to freak out unnecessarily about fraud prevention methods as if it is some circuitous method for institutions to shutdown MSers. If an institution wants to shut you down for MS, they don't need to disguise it in terms of a fraud alert -- they can and will just shut you down.
GD was a different experience for me. One day, I no longer could load MPs to certain prepaid cards. I got the message loud and clear. However, those prepaid cards(backed by GD), were not closed. They told me to contact GD to get refunds on the remaining MPs. Luckily I was able to use a different money service to cash them out. Shutdown or fraud prevention?
I've had money tied up with different banks, but it's never a good feeling. In the end, you will get your money back. But in the meanwhile, there's nothing you can do except give the info they request and wait(maybe vent a little bit on FT). I thought I was definitely in line when people started reporting in that they weren't able to access their accts. and what not. So, no surprises here. Just sharing information and experiences. Isn't that the purpose of this forum?
Mar 8, 2014, 8:48 pm
#884
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 1999
Posts: 24,153
FT needs to be better about understanding the difference between a fraud alert/freeze and a shutdown. If the institution is asking you to submit documents verifying your identity so they can reopen your account, that is not a shutdown. A shutdown is when they tell you to bug off because they don't want your business anymore. People in this thread and others seem to freak out unnecessarily about fraud prevention methods as if it is some circuitous method for institutions to shutdown MSers. If an institution wants to shut you down for MS, they don't need to disguise it in terms of a fraud alert -- they can and will just shut you down.
That's why I say what I do in order to get the acct reopened and unload it, w/o sending in the info since its gonna get closed anyways a lot easier to just open a new acct, till they close that as well
Mar 8, 2014, 10:55 pm
#885
Join Date: May 2008
Programs: AA PLT 2MM
Posts: 2,026
FT needs to be better about understanding the difference between a fraud alert/freeze and a shutdown. If the institution is asking you to submit documents verifying your identity so they can reopen your account, that is not a shutdown. A shutdown is when they tell you to bug off because they don't want your business anymore. People in this thread and others seem to freak out unnecessarily about fraud prevention methods as if it is some circuitous method for institutions to shutdown MSers. If an institution wants to shut you down for MS, they don't need to disguise it in terms of a fraud alert -- they can and will just shut you down.
With 'prepaid card', your advice is very much FOS.
Since this is a thread about a prepaid card... well... you're advice is FOS.
Thus... I am still very much intersted in the 'account susspended' process...