What is a smartOne Prepaid Card?
The smartOne Prepaid Card is a card that can be used at any merchant who accepts debit cards. It carries a fixed cash amount that can be used at numerous locations - in stores, restaurants, over the phone or even online.
How does the card work?
A prepaid card can be used just like a regular debit card. Push "credit" at the point-of-sale terminal and sign the receipt. Because the card may not come with a PIN, pushing "debit" may cause the card to decline.
Everytime the card is used, the purchase amount is deducted from the available balance until that balance reaches zero. Once the entire gift amount has been spent, the card can no longer be used as a method of payment. The card can be kept as a keepsake or be destroyed and discarded.
Can I use my smartOne Prepaid Card at gas stations, restaurants, online or over the phone?
Yes, however you should be aware your card may not be accepted at automated gas pumps. You can pay for your gas purchase with the station attendant rather than swiping your card at the pump.
Some merchants like hotels, restaurants and mail-order companies factor in an automatic tip or additional expenses when using prepaid cards. These merchants may require the card have an available balance greater than the purchase amount to ensure sufficient funds for tips or incidental expenses. Should this occur, instruct the cashier to deduct a specific amount from the card and use another form of payment for the balance or tip.
Cardholders can use the smartOne Prepaid Card for online or phone purchases, but will need to be sure the name, address, and phone number on the card’s account information is exactly the same as the information given to the merchant. If the information is different, the purchase could be declined.
Is a smartOne Prepaid Card reloadable?
No, smartOne Prepaid Cards are non-reloadable.
What if there are still funds available when a card expires?
We encourage cardholders to use the entire amount before the card expires. Any balance remaining would be returned to you less a closure fee (please refer to the Terms & Conditions provided with your card) deducted from the card balance. Funds will be distributed by check within 10 to 12 weeks. The specific closure fee amount is disclosed on the back of the card as well as the Cardholder Agreement provided with the card.
What if there are questions about a card balance or transaction?
It's easy to keep track of what's left on the card. Call Customer Service 24-hours a day using the phone number found on the back of the card.
The merchant cannot tell you how much money you have remaining on the card. Knowing your balance before shopping will help assure that the card is accepted.
What if a card is ever lost or stolen?
The card can be canceled and replaced by simply calling our Customer Service Center at either 866-770-2170 or 888-318-1680 - please refer to the cardholder agreement to confirm which number to use for the account - 24-hours a day, seven days a week. As long as the lost or stolen card is reported immediately, the recipient may not be responsible for any unauthorized charges. After the card has been canceled, we will send a replacement card with the remaining balance, minus a reissue fee (please refer to the Cardholder Agreement provided with your card) that will be deducted from the card balance.
Can a purchase be made for more than the amount remaining on the card?
Yes, the recipient will just need to pay the difference between the purchase price and the remaining value on a smartOne Prepaid Card with cash, check, credit card or debit card. It's important for the recipient to know their remaining balance, as some merchants may not have the ability to check the available balance on a card. Also, some merchants may require that the card have an available balance greater than the purchase amount to ensure sufficient funds for tips or incidental expenses. For example, many restaurants automatically authorize a card transaction for up to 20% above the purchase price to cover potential tips. The recipient will need to add this additional percentage amount to the total transaction amount when trying to use their card otherwise they may accidentally be authorizing a total purchase above their card balance.