MAGNOLIA

CLIPPING SERVICE

(601,8".0911 I (20SPS84lS10
LELAND PROGRESS

LELAND, MS

Circulation::: 704
WEEKLY
0910312009
~J11111111111111111111111111111111111
Prepaid
Bank Cards
- ~r~
~()"".
& Con
RJdgeland, MS, Augus!
17, 2009 - Prepaid bani<
cards have become a popu·
Jar alternative to the gift
cards sold by and for indi­
vidual retailers. The majOl
advantage is that these bani<
cards can be used anywhere
that credit cards are accept­
ed, thus allowing flexibility
in where the gift money can
be spent.
Since there are some
downsides to these prepaid
bank cards - also known as
stored-value cards - the Bet­
ter Business Bureau (BBa)
Serving Mississippi offers
the following tips to consid­
er when purchasing and
using such cards:
Bank cards can have mul­
tiple fees associated with
them which can he as high
lUI, $I.Q•. ,Sq~" ,~~ .olI13y be
for contaGting CliIsIOm«.ser­
vice or for inactivity, Some
cards has a base weekly fee
oU1,95 for each week that
the cards carry a balance.
FDIC insurance provided
for bank accounts does not
apply to these prepaid
cards.
Major card companies
such as MasterCard and
Visa often brand prepaid
bank cards; however, they
generally do not carry the
same liability protections as
traditional credit cards.
There are some often
restrictions on the use of
hank cards for purposes
such as car rentals, hotel
reservations, and making
deposits on large purchases.
The B BB has been serv­
ing Mississippi since 1964
by providing consumers
with business information
and promoting an ethical
marketplace for consumers
and businesses. The BBB
can be reached online at
www.ms.bbb.org or by
phone at 800-987-8280.