Review of RushCard Prepaid Cards - An Excellent Choice for the Unbanked

What is RushCard?

RushCard is a prepaid credit card that was established in 2003. Since then, it has been used by millions of consumers. RushCard has partnered with MetaBank and Visa to offer the card. It offers point-of-sale purchases, ATM access, direct deposit, and all the features of a bank debit card.

With the Visa tie-in, you can use RushCard anywhere Visa debit cards are accepted. You can use your card for purchases, but you can also use it to get in-store cash back, or cash at an in-network ATM machine. You can even withdraw cash inside most bank branches.

The RushCard prepaid Visa debit card is perfect for anyone who can’t qualify for a traditional credit card. But it’s also an excellent financial tool to have to protect your finances. Not only are you protected from unauthorized transactions when you use the card, but if the card is hacked, your liability will be limited to the amount of cash on the card. A thief won’t have access to your bank account or other financial accounts, nor the ability to run up a credit balance.

How RushCard Prepaid Cards Work

The RushCard prepaid Visa debit card can be used anywhere Visa debit cards are accepted. That includes purchase activity, as well as access to cash through ATM machines.

You can also use the card to:

• Set up recurring payments
• Manage monthly bills with Online Bill Pay (see below)
• Shop securely online

You don’t need good credit to apply for a card. In fact, RushCard doesn’t even perform a credit check. Charges on the card can be run as either a credit or debit–your choice.

You have the option of choosing one of two different plans, the Rush Unlimited Plan and the Rush Pay As You Go Plan. The difference between the two is the fees charged on each plan.

The Rush Unlimited Plan is a monthly plan. You pay a monthly fee, then have access to unlimited signature and PIN purchases. The Rush Pay As You Go Plan is a “per use” plan. There is no monthly fee, but you pay a fee of $1 per purchase. Otherwise, each plan offers the same benefits and features.

RushCard goes beyond a simple debit card, and offers many services commonly found in checking accounts.

For example, the card comes with Online Bill Pay. You can pay recurring expenses, such as loan payments and utility bills. You can also pay nonrecurring expenses, like doctor bills, or your daycare center if you have children. You can even pay your rent using the card. There are no fees and no limits for the Online Bill Pay feature.

RushCard Rewards

RushCard is a prepaid debit card that also offers rewards. The RushCard Refer-a-Friend Program pays you a $30 bonus for each friend who applies for a card, and funds their account. Your friend will also receive the bonus. You can earn as much is $600 per year by referring friends.

As a participating Visa card, you’re also entitled to discounts through the card with more than 90 merchants and vendors. For example, you can receive discounts at select restaurants, hotels, and retail outlets.

RushGoals

RushCard allows you to set savings goals. For example, you can save for a family vacation, an emergency fund, or even longer-term goals, like college tuition. You can set up as many goals as you like, and the feature will track your progress. And as a RushCard Reward, you will receive a refund of up to $2 for each month that you maintain an average balance of $500 or more in your goal account.

One disadvantage of RushGoals is that the money held in each goal account does not earn interest. It’s an excellent way to save money if you don’t have a regular banking relationship, or if you’ve had difficulty saving money in the past in the past. But it’s not a place to earn interest on the money you save.

RushCard Account Limits

• Maximum card balance:$10,000 at any time
• ACH/Direct Deposit limit: $10,000.
• Maximum amount of over-the-counter withdrawals from a bank: $3,000 per calendar month
• Maximum amount of ATM withdrawals: $3,000 per calendar month
• Maximum amount of point-of-sale transactions: $5,000 per day

Funding Your RushCard

RushCard offer several convenient ways to fund your card. RushCard does not charge a fee for funding your card. But be aware that some funding methods do involve the payment of fees to third-party providers.

Direct Deposit

By adding direct deposit to your RushCard you can get your pay up to two days sooner than depositing a paper check. There is no additional fee to enroll. You can also direct deposit government benefit checks.

Income Tax Refund

You can do this by direct depositing your refund check, the same way you do with payroll checks. When you fill out your tax return, just enter the RushCard routing number and your account number (which is your RushCard 16 digit direct deposit ID number), and mark the “Checking” box on the refund line of your return. Your tax refund will be automatically deposited onto your RushCard, just the way it would be in a bank account.

Cash Deposit

You can load cash onto your RushCard at thousands of retail locations nationwide. These include Dollar General, CVS pharmacy, Family Dollar, Kmart, Rite Aid, 7-Eleven, and Walgreens stores. You can deposit cash of up to $2,999 per day.

You can do this through several services, which are quick, but each charges a fee:

• MoneyPak ($5.95 fee)
• MoneyGram ($3.95 fee)
• Reload@TheRegister ($4.95 fee)
• Western Union ($3.95 fee)

Check or Money Order

You can do this one of two ways. You can either take a picture of your check and load the funds using the RushCard Mobile App, or you can cash and load a check in person at participating Walmart stores for a small fee.

Bank Transfer

You can transfer funds to your RushCard from your checking or savings account by ACH electronic money transfer.

Paypal

Transfer money onto RushCard directly from PayPal. There is no charge from PayPal for such transfers. You can also link your bank account to your PayPal account, in case your bank doesn’t offer ACH transfers.

RushCard Features and Benefits

Customer Service

You can contact RushCard by phone or by email, 24 hours a day, seven days per week. The RushCard Support Team is available with live assistance. You can also set up RushTEXT Alerts to monitor your account activity.

RushCard Mobile App

You can use the mobile app the same way you would a traditional mobile banking app. The app is available on iPhone and Android devices. It’s even available with fingerprint access in lieu of a password.

It can be used to check your card balance, view your transaction history, cash checks or make mobile deposits, use the Pause Protection tool (see below), transfer money to other RushCards, find an ATM, or find a location to fund your account. You can even use the app to manage your direct deposits.

Pause Protection

This is a security feature that is available on RushCard to partially freeze your account in the event of a threat. If activated, withdrawals and debit transactions will not be authorized. However, deposits will continue to be accepted on the card, as will ACH debit transactions and recurring bill payments. You can initiate or remove the protection feature at any time.

Visa Zero Liability Protection

As part of the Visa family, you’ll have $0 liability for unauthorized use of your prepaid debit card.

Free Financial Counseling

You can get free, one-on-one credit counseling from Operation Hope, a leading provider of financial education and empowerment programs. This program is available through the partnership with MetaBank

FDIC Insurance

The balance on your card is protected by FDIC insurance through MetaBank, which an FDIC Member bank.

RushCard Prepaid Card Pricing

How to Apply for a RushCard

You can apply online or by phone, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You must be either a U.S. citizen, or a permanent resident with a valid Social Security number in order to apply. You are eligible for the card if you are at least 13 years old, however parental consent is required if you are under age 18.

You’ll need to provide your Social Security number, date of birth, email address, and your physical mailing address. In addition, you’ll be required to provide a copy of your driver’s license or other documents as required, to verify your identity, consistent with federal law.

Once your card is approved, you will receive it within 5 to 7 business days. You will be required to set up a PIN to activate the card.

Pros and Cons

Should You Sign Up with RushCard?

The RushCard Prepaid Card is an excellent choice for two types of consumers:

• Consumers who dont have a bank relationship. This is usually due to a poor credit history. Since RushBank doesnt even check your credit history, the card is available to anyone. It can be used just like a debit or credit card issued by a bank. You can use it for regular purchase activity, online purchases, or as an ATM card.
• Anyone who makes frequent online purchases, and doesnt want to compromise their identity. The card is not linked to a credit card or bank account, so a potential thief would not have access to either account. The card comes with $0 liability for fraudulent activity, so youre protected against a less-than-reputable vendor.

You can choose the Unlimited Plan for regular use of the card, or you can go with the Pay As You Go Plan if it will only be for limited use.

If you’d like more information, or if you’d like to sign up for the card, visit the RushCard website.