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 Managers 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 Managers 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 20, 2014, 7:46 am
#1126
Join Date: Jul 2009
Programs: None
Posts: 135
Most of the folks that were banned were loading large amounts ($1.5K - $2.5K/day on multiple consecutive days) and then BP out $5K probably multiples times in a short period of time. I don't think the system looks at whether you do BP under a certain threshold every single time and not ban you but rather how much loading and unload to BP was done within say a week and month. I presume if you cross a certain large threshold then you will be flagged. If you think you figured out the system then go for you. I just don't think it is as simple as you make it out to be. Showing only BP on your account is not what is considered "everyday spending" which has been noted many times by those that have talked to the risk dept as what the card was intended for.
Let me also throw in my 2. The key is profitability.
Mar 20, 2014, 8:02 am
#1127
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 217
If you'll be doing any practical amount of MS you'll get caught. Large bill payments to CC get caught first. Buying MOs and paying taxes might last for a bit longer. Now that they're aware of MS they'll be looking for it, and with access to everyone's credit report they can easily figure out what's going on.
Just buy starter packs, set PIN and cash out to MO. Nice and easy.
Mar 20, 2014, 11:28 am
#1129
Join Date: May 2008
Programs: AA PLT 2MM
Posts: 2,026
I just accept the fact that one day my account will not work. Not going to try and 'trick' the compliance department here.
I'd say it's a good 'guess' though.
Perhaps. Perhaps not.
My 'guess' it is there are other factors, and, ultimately it's less than $2K.
At any rate, I've done some fairly large volume (well above what you earlier defined was 'reasonable') though this and it's still working. I have a 'hunch' on why mine might still be be working while others who've done less volume are done. Of course, I know the moment I share this here the following will likely happen: 1) others will implement the strategy and thus the 'risk department' parameters will change, 2) someone from said department who's reading this thread will simply implement the change.
Ultimately, I think this deal is, stick a fork in it, done. I'd say you're better off trying to hit it for what you can as I doubt you're going to get any long term use out of this if you're a manufacturer.
Mar 20, 2014, 11:34 am
#1130
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 3,518
Mar 20, 2014, 6:44 pm
#1134
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 217
Thank you, also there's a difference between prepaid Visa and gift card Visa (one time use) cards. I buy my share of the latter, but the former is just as bad as the other prepaids. They all eventually catch on and ban you if you do any meaningful amount of MS....and appears they're getting better at it. Why bother?
Mar 21, 2014, 7:22 am
#1135
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 162
T-Mobile Visa Prepaid - Bluebird Competitor for MS! (May not load w/CC)
If you buy starters, call to set pin and unload it's no different then a vgc. Safeway doesn't collect my info, it's a one and done affair. To make it simple enough for you to understand, it's a fee free vgc.
Mar 21, 2014, 8:44 am
#1136
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: IAD, TPE
Posts: 470
Looks like this gravy ship has sailed.
Mar 21, 2014, 9:04 am
#1137
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 217
Got the call from risk, was told right off the bat they were going to unblock the account. Had a quick 2m conversation with she told me if the pattern continues a termination will happen, she collected my acknowledgement, and that was that. She didn't ask me why the account had such activity or asked for supporting paperwork, it sounded like they know exactly what's going on.
Looks like this gravy ship has sailed.
Looks like this gravy ship has sailed.
Mar 21, 2014, 9:36 am
#1138
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 274
Forgive my ignorance, but which type of starters are you referring to? Is it the Onevanilla/Myvanilla debit cards in the plastic packaging? Or something else? All the cards I've seen have a fee associated with them.
Mar 21, 2014, 9:47 am
#1139
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 3,518
Got the call from risk, was told right off the bat they were going to unblock the account. Had a quick 2m conversation with she told me if the pattern continues a termination will happen, she collected my acknowledgement, and that was that. She didn't ask me why the account had such activity or asked for supporting paperwork, it sounded like they know exactly what's going on.
Looks like this gravy ship has sailed.
Looks like this gravy ship has sailed.
Mar 21, 2014, 10:19 am
#1140
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 437
Since we're in the t-mobile thread, I would think when they say "starter" pack, they meant the t-mobile card. But as far as I know, those things are $4 and they also say "Cash Only" on them.