The Green Dot Card: What is it?

If you have spent anytime shopping online you have probably heard reference to Green Dot cards, especially if you don't have a credit card. These are cards that are intended to allow people who don't have a credit card to make online purchases. However a lot more than that can be done with them. It is a good idea to learn just what a Green Dot card is and what you can use it for.

The Green Dot card is a prepaid credit card, that means that it is card that allows you to deposit money onto it and then use it in any place that you would use a credit card. In a lot of ways it is similar to a debit card but it comes with an important difference, you can use it like a credit card. That means that for things like making online purchases you will be able to use your card where you wouldn't normally be able to use a debit card.

The reason that Green Dot offers prepaid credit cards is that it is virtually impossible to get by without a credit card these days. This creates a problem however since there are many people who are not able to qualify for one, mainly as the result of debt problem. Clearly a solution was needed and the result was the Green Dot card. Anybody can qualify for one since there is no credit being extended there is no credit check. This ensures that if you need to have a credit card to make a purchase you will be able to get one.

In order to get a Green Dot credit card all you have to do is go to one of the stores that sells them, there are dozens of these. You then simply purchase the card and deposit the amount that you want on the card. There will be a small fee involved, this is how the issuer makes money since there is no interest. Your card is available for use right away. When you first make the purchase you will be given a card that doesn't have your name on it, you may find some merchants who won't accept this card. In about a week you will get a card with your name on it in the mail but for the first few days you may find your ability to use the card somewhat limited.

As you use your Green Dot card money will be deducted from the amount that you initially deposited. The card is re-loadable so as your balance starts to run down you are going to want to put more money onto it. This is easy to do, you can simply go to any store that sells the cards and add money. This money will be immediately credited to your account so you can go out and use the card right away if you want to.