My husband purchased a card with $300.00 and gave it to me to use. I created a PIN and registered on the paypower site. I read that the card could be used at ATM's so I withdrew some cash. I had a balance of $3.92 on the account, which I tried to use the next day at a gas station. The transaction was declined. I called the customer service number and was told that there was a "hold" on the account for security reasons, and someone from the "risk management" department would be calling me within 24-48 hours. No such call came.
It is now 7 weeks later. I have called the customer service department 8 times, and each time, I am told that "risk management" would be contacting me. My husband finally answered the call yesterday - the ONLY time they have tried to reach us. They would not give him any information - only could speak with me, apparently. To this day I cannot access the remaining balance. One of the service reps told me that there was a hold on the account because I went to the ATM - they don't like that - they make less money apparently. Here are some additional details:
- The customer service team claims they have no way to to contact risk management directly - only through their internal systems. They also claim the risk management team has no direct phone number, which is a lie. During the 2nd or 3rd call, one of the reps actualy transferred me to a voicemail of a risk management team member. I never got a call back.
-When my husband asked the risk managment person for a number which I could use to return the call, the risk management person gave him the 888 633 9432 customer service number. Thus, a fantastic merry go round where the customer never gets to actually call them and get a result - always must wait 24-48 hours for a phone call that never comes.
- They don't like ATM transactions, even though it is widely advertised. Be warned that if you use your card at an ATM, all remaining funds on your card will be mysteriously held and you WILL NOT ever get them back.
-They will claim that the US Patriot act requires them to verify the identity of customers before releasing the funds. This is a scam, and no other prepaid card forces you to go through this for using your card at an ATM. While some transactions may be moneylaundering, Paypower deliberately calls every ATM transaction "suspicious". They are deliberately shaping this law to claim that unfraudulent, normal transactions are "suspicious", and allows them to retain funds. They do this excessively, and should be investigated for unlawful custody of client funds.
-They make money on the balances - they are invested on behalf of the company and earn interest. They will also take my $3.92 and make me wait so long to get it, that I will incur the next monthly fee.
-The customer is given no options or way to contact these people, outside of a useless customer service number.
-Here is my card number - I am so certain that they intend to keep the $3.92, and I will never get it back, that I am willing to print the number here -.
DO NOT BUY THIS CARD - You will be very sorry you did - if you are on vacation, your plans will be ruined, and you will have no way to resolve it. They have deliberately made it impossible to contact them.
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