What is Netspend and What is a Netspend Card?

Wouldn't it be nice to gain more control and freedom over your finances? That's where the Netspend Prepaid Mastercard¹ can help. The Netspend Card is a great financial management tool to help you manage your money with a robust mobile app² to stay up to date on your spending and balance. Plus, with Anytime Alerts™ enrollment, you can receive text² or email notifications after every transaction, so it’s even more convenient to stay on track when you’re on the go!

Read on to learn more about the Netspend Card and how you can get valuable perks and benefits when you use it to pay bills³, shop in stores and online. With a Netspend Card, you can manage your money, your way.

What is a Netspend Card?

A Netspend Prepaid Card is a debit card with no credit check¹ or minimum balance required, like you may have at a traditional bank. With a Netspend Card, you can load, and continue to reload, cash to the Card Account, plus enroll in direct deposit to have your pay, government benefits, and tax refund automatically deposited. One of the favorite Cardholder benefits of direct deposit to a Netspend Card is getting paid up to 2 days faster.⁴ That’s right!  Netspend Cardholders with direct deposit receive their pay or benefits up to 2 days faster.⁴ 

When you’re ready to reload cash,⁵ visit any of the more than 130,000 Netspend Reload Network locations throughout the country, including Check `n Go. If you have a check, you can cash and load the funds at Check `n Go near you, or if you’re short on time, skip the trip and use Mobile Check Load⁶ in the Netspend Mobile App.

Is Netspend Safe?

When you load funds to a Netspend Card, it’s more convenient than carrying cash since you can shop in places where cash may not be accepted, but if you carry cash and lose it, it’s gone. Should your Netspend Card be lost or stolen, you may be protected against unauthorized purchases with Mastercard Zero Liability protection.⁷ Also, your Card Account is FDIC-insured⁸ through the card’s issuing bank.

Netspend Card Pays You Back

Enjoy getting rewarded for some of your everyday purchases? With Netspend Payback Rewards^SM,⁹ you will receive personalized offers based on your shopping habits from select retailers and you can opt in directly from your Online Account Center.  Once you choose an offer and make a qualifying purchase, the cash rewards are deposited to your Netspend Card Account, typically the following month.

You can even plan for the future and set aside funds in an optional savings account. The Netspend Savings Account earns up to 5.00% Annual Percentage Yield (APY).¹⁰ Simply transfer money from your Card Account to the Savings Account, or setup AutoSave to automatically transfer funds – then watch your money grow!   When you’re ready to use some or all of your savings, simply transfer it back to your Card Account. 

Send Money Seamlessly to Other Netspend Cardholders

When you have friends or family members with a Netspend Card Account, you can transfer money¹¹ at no cost¹² using the Netspend app or Online Account Center.  To send or receive money, all that’s needed is the person’s name and Netspend FlashPay ID, which is located inside the Online Account Center.  Share your FlashPay ID or get the other person’s FlashPay ID and you can both send money to each when needed.

Where Can I Get a Netspend Prepaid Mastercard? 

Ready to get a Netspend Prepaid Mastercard?  Find a participating Check `n Go retail location near you and ask for a card. After ID verification,¹ you’ll receive a temporary card at the store which you can use anywhere Debit Mastercard is accepted. Activate the card and you’ll have access to the Card Account features. Netspend will mail a personalized card (with your name on it!) within 7-10 business days.

View our Netspend cards FAQ to learn more about these prepaid cards.

FAQs: Netspend Prepaid Mastercard®

How secure is Netspend?

Netspend Online Banking uses the latest technology to encrypt your personal information, such as user IDs, passwords, and card account information, when transmitted over the internet. Any information provided is scrambled en route and decoded once it reaches your browser.

What are the cons of Netspend?

There are limited fees to manage your Netspend card, though these are comparable to those charged by ATMs and similar services.

Is Netspend a real bank account?

Netspend cards are not tied to an existing bank account, but Netspend does offer an All-Access Bank Account, an FDIC-insured deposit account.

Is Netspend a debit or credit card?

Netspend provides prepaid debit cards, prepaid Mastercard and Visa debit cards, and commercial prepaid cards. Prepaid cards are different from credit cards in that you can only spend funds that you preload onto the card.

How do I check my Netspend balance?

There are four ways to check your Netspend balance.  To check your balance for free, log in to your Online Account Center or sign up for Anytime Alerts.  For a fee, you can also call Netspend or check your balance at a participating ATM.

What is the Netspend login?

Log in to Netspend using the username and password you established when the account was created.  If you can’t remember, click on the “Forgot Username or Password” link.  You’ll be asked to enter the required information, which includes your Social Security Number, date of birth, and ‌the last four digits of your NetSpend card's number. Then you’ll be directed to choose a new username and password.

Card usage is subject to card activation and identity verification.¹ 

^{1 IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR OPENING A CARD ACCOUNT: TO HELP THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FIGHT THE FUNDING OF TERRORISM AND MONEY LAUNDERING ACTIVITIES, THE USA PATRIOT ACT REQUIRES US TO OBTAIN, VERIFY, AND RECORD INFORMATION THAT IDENTIFIES EACH PERSON WHO OPENS A CARD ACCOUNT. WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU: WHEN YOU OPEN A CARD ACCOUNT, WE WILL ASK FOR YOUR NAME, ADDRESS, DATE OF BIRTH, AND YOUR GOVERNMENT ID NUMBER. WE MAY ALSO ASK TO SEE YOUR DRIVER’S LICENSE OR OTHER IDENTIFYING INFORMATION. CARD ACTIVATION AND IDENTITY VERIFICATION REQUIRED BEFORE YOU CAN USE THE CARD ACCOUNT. IF YOUR IDENTITY IS PARTIALLY VERIFIED, FULL USE OF THE CARD ACCOUNT WILL BE RESTRICTED, BUT YOU MAY BE ABLE TO USE THE CARD FOR IN-STORE PURCHASE TRANSACTIONS. RESTRICTIONS INCLUDE: NO ATM WITHDRAWALS, INTERNATIONAL TRANSACTIONS, ACCOUNT-TO-ACCOUNT TRANSFERS AND ADDITIONAL LOADS. USE OF CARD ACCOUNT ALSO SUBJECT TO FRAUD PREVENTION RESTRICTIONS AT ANY TIME, WITH OR WITHOUT NOTICE. RESIDENTS OF VERMONT ARE INELIGIBLE TO OPEN A CARD ACCOUNT.} 

^{2  NETSPEND DOES NOT CHARGE FOR THIS SERVICE, BUT YOUR WIRELESS CARRIER MAY CHARGE FOR MESSAGES OR DATA.} 

^{3 BILL PAYMENTS MAY BE SUBJECT TO FEES. DETAILS ABOUT BILL PAYMENT METHODS ARE AVAILABLE IN THE ONLINE ACCOUNT CENTER.}

^{4 FASTER FUNDING CLAIM IS BASED ON A COMPARISON OF OUR POLICY OF MAKING FUNDS AVAILABLE UPON RECEIPT OF PAYMENT INSTRUCTION VERSUS THE TYPICAL BANKING PRACTICE OF POSTING FUNDS AT SETTLEMENT. FRAUD PREVENTION RESTRICTIONS MAY DELAY AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS WITH OR WITHOUT NOTICE.  EARLY AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS REQUIRES PAYOR’S SUPPORT OF DIRECT DEPOSIT AND IS SUBJECT TO THE TIMING OF PAYOR’S PAYMENT INSTRUCTION.}

^{5 THE NETSPEND NETWORK IS PROVIDED BY NETSPEND CORPORATION AND ITS AUTHORIZED AGENTS. NETSPEND IS A LICENSED PROVIDER OF MONEY TRANSFER SERVICES (NMLS ID: 932678). NETSPEND’S LICENSES AND RELATED INFORMATION MAY BE FOUND AT WWW.NETSPEND.COM/LICENSES. FEES, LIMITS, AND OTHER RESTRICTIONS MAY BE IMPOSED BY NETSPEND AND OTHER THIRD PARTIES IN CONNECTION WITH USE OF THE NETSPEND NETWORK.}

^{6 MOBILE CHECK LOAD IS A SERVICE PROVIDED BY FIRST CENTURY BANK, N.A. AND INGO MONEY, INC., SUBJECT TO THE FIRST CENTURY BANK AND INGO MONEY TERMS AND CONDITIONS, AND PRIVACY POLICY. APPROVAL REVIEW USUALLY TAKES 3 TO 5 MINUTES BUT CAN TAKE UP TO ONE HOUR. ALL CHECKS ARE SUBJECT TO APPROVAL FOR FUNDING IN INGO MONEY’S SOLE DISCRETION. FEES APPLY FOR APPROVED MONEY IN MINUTES TRANSACTIONS FUNDED TO YOUR CARD. UNAPPROVED CHECKS WILL NOT BE FUNDED TO YOUR CARD. INGO MONEY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO RECOVER LOSSES RESULTING FROM ILLEGAL OR FRAUDULENT USE OF THE INGO MONEY SERVICE. YOUR WIRELESS CARRIER MAY CHARGE A FEE FOR MESSAGE AND DATA USAGE. ADDITIONAL TRANSACTION FEES, COSTS, TERMS AND CONDITIONS MAY BE ASSOCIATED WITH THE FUNDING AND USE OF YOUR CARD. SEE YOUR CARDHOLDER AGREEMENT FOR DETAILS. MOBILE CHECK LOAD SERVICE IS NOT AVAILABLE FOR USE WITHIN THE STATE OF NEW YORK.}

^{7 TO MINIMIZE LOSSES, CARDHOLDER MUST NOTIFY NETSPEND PROMPTLY OF ANY LOSS OF THE CARD OR COMPROMISE OF THE CARD ACCOUNT. DOES NOT APPLY TO CERTAIN PREPAID CARDS, OR CORPORATE CARDS. CERTAIN TERMS, CONDITIONS AND EXCLUSIONS APPLY. PLEASE SEE WWW.MASTERCARD.US/ZERO-LIABILITY.HTML FOR MORE DETAILS.} 

^{8 UPON SUCCESSFUL ACTIVATION AND REGISTRATION OF THE CARD ACCOUNT, FUNDS ON DEPOSIT AT PATHWARD, N.A. MEMBER FDIC, ARE INSURED UP TO THE STANDARD MAXIMUM DEPOSIT INSURANCE LIMIT. COVERAGE LIMIT IS SUBJECT TO AGGREGATION OF ALL OF CARDHOLDER’S FUNDS HELD ON DEPOSIT AT [NAME OF BANK].} 

^{9 PAYBACK REWARDS IS AN OPTIONAL PROGRAM. YOU MAY OPT-OUT AT ANY TIME BY VISITING THE PAYBACK REWARDS PAGE IN YOUR ONLINE ACCOUNT CENTER. REWARD OFFERS ARE BASED ON INDIVIDUAL SHOPPING HABITS. CASH BACK REWARDS ARE CREDITED TO YOUR CARD ACCOUNT AND ARE NOT AVAILABLE IN THE FORM OF A CHECK OR OTHER DIRECT PAYMENT METHOD. SEE THE PROGRAM FAQS AND TERMS AND CONDITIONS IN YOUR ONLINE ACCOUNT CENTER FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS ABOUT HOW AND WHEN YOU GET REWARDED. PROGRAM SPONSOR: NETSPEND CORPORATION. PATHWARD, N.A. AND MASTERCARD ARE NOT AFFILIATED IN ANY WAY WITH THIS PROGRAM AND DO NOT ENDORSE OR SPONSOR THIS PROGRAM.}

^{10 THE OPTIONAL SAVINGS ACCOUNT IS MADE AVAILABLE TO CARDHOLDERS THROUGH PATHWARD, N.A., MEMBER FDIC. TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SAVINGS ACCOUNT PROGRAM, CARDHOLDER MUST CONSENT TO AND CONTINUE RECEIVING COMMUNICATIONS FROM US IN ELECTRONIC FORM. IF CARDHOLDER IS SUBJECT TO INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE BACKUP WITHHOLDING AT THE TIME OF THE REQUEST TO OPEN A SAVINGS ACCOUNT, THE REQUEST WILL BE DECLINED. INTEREST IS CALCULATED ON THE AVERAGE DAILY BALANCE(S) OF THE SAVINGS ACCOUNT AND IS PAID QUARTERLY.}

^{• IF THE AVERAGE DAILY BALANCE IS $1,000.00 OR LESS, THE INTEREST RATE PAID ON THE ENTIRE BALANCE WILL BE 4.91% WITH AN ANNUAL PERCENTAGE YIELD (APY) OF 5.00%.} 

^{• IF THE AVERAGE DAILY BALANCE IS MORE THAN $1,000.00, THE INTEREST RATE PAID ON THE PORTION OF THE AVERAGE DAILY BALANCE WHICH EXCEEDS $1,000.00 WILL BE 0.49% WITH AN APY OF 0.50%, AND THE INTEREST PAID ON THE PORTION OF THE AVERAGE DAILY BALANCE WHICH IS $1,000.00 OR LESS WILL BE 4.91%.  THE APY FOR THIS TIER WILL RANGE FROM 5.00% TO 0.54%, DEPENDING ON THE BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT.}

^{THE INTEREST RATES AND APYS OF EACH TIER MAY CHANGE. THE APYS WERE ACCURATE AS OF 4/1/2022. THESE ARE PROMOTIONAL RATES AND MAY CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE PURSUANT TO APPLICABLE LAW. NO MINIMUM BALANCE NECESSARY TO OPEN SAVINGS ACCOUNT OR OBTAIN THE YIELD(S). BECAUSE SAVINGS ACCOUNT FUNDS ARE WITHDRAWN THROUGH THE CARD ACCOUNT (MAXIMUM 6 SUCH TRANSFERS PER CALENDAR MONTH), CARD ACCOUNT TRANSACTION FEES COULD REDUCE THE INTEREST EARNED ON THE SAVINGS ACCOUNT. CARD ACCOUNT AND SAVINGS ACCOUNT FUNDS ARE FDIC-INSURED UPON VERIFICATION OF CARDHOLDER’S IDENTITY. FOR PURPOSES OF FDIC COVERAGE LIMIT, ALL FUNDS HELD ON DEPOSIT BY THE CARDHOLDER AT PATHWARD, N.A. WILL BE AGGREGATED UP TO THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT PERMITTED BY LAW UPON RECEIPT OF FUNDS BY THE ISSUER.}

^{11 NO COST FOR ONLINE OR MOBILE ACCOUNT-TO-ACCOUNT TRANSFERS BETWEEN NETSPEND CARDHOLDERS; A $4.95 FEE APPLIES TO EACH SUCH TRANSFER CONDUCTED THROUGH A NETSPEND CUSTOMER SERVICE AGENT.}

^{12 WHILE THIS SPECIFIC FEATURE IS AVAILABLE AT NO COST, CERTAIN OTHER TRANSACTION FEES AND COSTS, TERMS, AND CONDITIONS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH THE USE OF THIS CARD. SEE THE CARDHOLDER AGREEMENT FOR MORE DETAILS.}

^{THE NETSPEND PREPAID MASTERCARD IS ISSUED BY PATHWARD, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, MEMBER FDIC, PURSUANT TO LICENSE BY MASTERCARD INTERNATIONAL INCORPORATED. NETSPEND IS A REGISTERED AGENT OF PATHWARD, N.A. CERTAIN PRODUCTS AND SERVICES MAY BE LICENSED UNDER U.S. PATENT NOS. 6,000,608 AND 6,189,787. USE OF THE CARD ACCOUNT IS SUBJECT TO ACTIVATION, ID VERIFICATION, AND FUNDS AVAILABILITY. TRANSACTION FEES, TERMS, AND CONDITIONS APPLY TO THE USE AND RELOADING OF THE CARD ACCOUNT. SEE THE CARDHOLDER AGREEMENT FOR DETAILS.}

^{MASTERCARD IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK, AND THE CIRCLES DESIGN IS A TRADEMARK OF MASTERCARD INTERNATIONAL INCORPORATED.}