www.iva.co.uk

Right, well I thought start as I mean to go on and got me and the other half a Virgin prepaid credit card which in principle, seem like a good idea?

Trouble is, now they've arrived and I've read all the information that comes with them, I don't really understand how the heck they work? I thought I would just put an amount on every month and that's that, but it all looks slightly more complicated than that.

Am I being REALLY blonde?!

I have a Paypal prepaid card, and all I do, when I want to, is just go the Post Office and load money onto it.

It can then be used online and in shops like a normal debit card and you can't go overdrawn.

You may find that if you withdraw cash you get charged, and I'm not sure if Virgin charge a monthly fee.

You're not being blonde - they can be complicated![:D]

You're right there kallis3, I'm not blonde anymore. I had it dyed brunette yesterday (another money saver cos I can't afford to keep having the roots done at £100 a shot[:0])!!

So with the Paypal one, did you have to pay for the card and do you get a monthly charge?

I paid £9.99 each for the cards and if I'm reading the info correctly, there'll be a monthly charge of £4.95. I think there's a restriction as to how much we can spend, although the card itself isn't restricted....... honestly, there I was thinking what a good idea and now I'm wondering why I bloomin bothered!

Rache

I have a paypal card and it is £4.99 ) I think for the card that is taken when you first load the card.

There are fees for withdrawing cash (£2 i think) but none for use as a debit card.

You can top the card up for free from your paypal account

Or pay a small fee when topping up at the post office

I don't believe they have a monthly charge.

You don't even have to have a paypal account to get one of these cards.

Hope that helps

The Paypal one is £4.99 set up as debt free says, and it lasts for two years and then to renew it will cost the same.

No monthly charges, and, as far as I am aware, no limit on spending.

If you are on contract with O2, they do their own and it is free.

Do you get the same purchase protection with these cards as with a 'normal' credit card?

There are limits with the Paypal card (to prevent money laundering)
I think the figures are £10,000 in a year £2000 in a month and £1000 in a week.
These are loading limits not spending limits.

Thanks for the info. They all seem to have a limit as to how much you can put on them? Or am I reading that wrong? I just want to be able to put say, £800 a month on it and live on that. I don't think our post office here would have the facility for putting money on to it so can you do it online? Using your debit card?

See, I really am very very stoopid. [:I][:I][:I]

Rache

In the small print on the O2 card it points out that if the card provider goes bust you have no recourse to get your money back!!!

I wont ever have loads of money on it but wouldnt want to lose whats on there!!!

Still it comes without a fee so its a winner for me.

In fact if you arent on 02 get a sim card and cheap phone and join them,its maybe cheaper than using some of the prepaid cards with fees!!!


Paul

I can't join O2 or any of the UK networks as we only have three here and they're not in any way related. We have Wave Telecom, C&W & Airtel Vodafone (you'd think there'd be some relation there to the Vodafone in the UK wouldn't you, but noooo that's far too easy[:D]). <<Sigh>>> I think I'll just wait until I'm back home. Just too complicated here.

Thanks for the replies though.

Rache

I had the Virgin card and you used to be able to load money onto the card using a debit card so presumably you still can.

Think I might call their customer service line and ask them because the info reads that we can only put £1600 a year on it or something? Just doesn't make any sense. Maybe I'll just draw our monthly allowance out and shove it under the mattress.[;)]

I've just had a look at the website and the £1600 limit only applies if they can't verify your identity as they will then only give you a restricted card.

So I guess we'd send extra ID for that then. I'll give them a call tomorrow to see what's what. Thanks.[:)]

Let us know how you get on x