Released: January 14, 2019

Help Desk FAQ

I have a checking account and a linked debit card. Do I need a prepaid card?

Probably not. Careful use of a debit card (avoiding overdraft penalties and ATM fees) will nearly always be less expensive than the same spending on a prepaid card. Prepaid cards can be a good solution for someone who is unable to get a checking account, but they cannot offer any advantages over an existing checking account-linked debit card. If you don't have a checking account and are considering a prepaid card, read Consumer Action's "A Consumer's Guide to Choosing a Prepaid Card."