Compare Prepaid Cards

There are several prepaid cards that allow mobile check deposit. Some of these include the NetSpend prepaid card, the Walmart MoneyCard, and the Green Dot card.

All you have to do is download the mobile app, and you can load a check on your card in minutes by taking its picture and uploading it.

No, prepaid business credit cards don't build credit. Even when they're marketed to businesses, prepaid cards are not credit cards, as there's no credit line attached to them. Unlike a credit card, prepaid cards have their funds stored in a stand-alone prepaid account which you can reload. So you can only spend what you've deposited into your account. That's why they don't help build personal or business credit.

A secured credit card is a better option for...

You can check your MyVanilla card balance through the mobile app on Android and iOS.

You can also set up text and email alerts to keep track of your card's balance.

Another way to check your card's balance is at the ATM. You can use any MoneyPass network ATM without paying a surcharge fee.

Yes, you can get scammed with a prepaid card. The scammer can pretend to sell you something and ask you to buy a prepaid card, load it and give him the card details.

Your prepaid card can also be cloned, or you could be scammed via a marketing scam or through utility fraud, with fraudsters pretending to be someone from your utility company.

You can overdraft prepaid cards in some cases. Prepaid cards do not usually allow you to overdraft your account, and those that permit overdrafts typically have additional requirements or restrictions like direct-deposit enrollment or preventing your balance from falling below negative $10. You also have to opt in to overdraft. Note that most prepaid cards will decline a transaction exceeding your account balance.

Prepaid Cards with Optional Overdraft Protection

• ACE Elite Prepaid Visa. ACE Elite also offers cardholders a $10 purchase cushion. However, to qualify, you must have at least $500 direct deposited into your card account in one calendar month. Once you meet that requirement, the cushion may cover purchases up to $10 over the balance of your card. You are required to repay the purchase cushion before adding any additional funds to your card.
• NetSpend PremierCard. The NetSpend Premier Card may come with a $10 purchase cushion, meaning your card's balance could go as low as negative $10. You must repay the purchase cushion before adding additional funds to your card.
• Brink's Money Prepaid Mastercard. With $500 in qualifying direct deposits, cardholders receive a $10 purchase cushion, which means approved purchases may overdraw your account by up to $10. The cushion is a courtesy extended at the company's discretion.
• Green Dot Prepaid Card. Green Dot customers who receive at least one direct deposit are eligible to opt in to Green Dot's overdraft protection coverage, which provides a purchase cushion of up to $10 or more. If you repay the overdraft within 24 hours, Green Dot won't charge you a fee.
• Walmart MoneyCard Prepaid Card. To add overdraft protection to your Walmart MoneyCard, you must opt-in and make direct deposits. Walmart decides whether to approve you for overdraft coverage and how much coverage you're approved for based on the types of direct deposits you make, the amount, and how often you put money on the card. When you become eligible for overdraft protection, you will not be charged a fee if your account has a negative balance of $10 or less. Walmart can also approve you for up to $200 in coverage. 

If you're in the market for a new prepaid card, check out WalletHub's guide to the year's best prepaid options.