Balance® Financial Prepaid MasterCard® FAQ’s
Getting Started
How do I activate and register the instant issue card?
There are simple ways to activate and register your card:
- Visit Walgreens.com/BalanceFinancial
- Call our customer service line at 888-924-2653
- Visit a kiosk at any Walgreens store near you
Once you have successfully activated your Balance Financial Prepaid MasterCard, a personalized card will be sent in the mail.
How do I activate the card I received in the mail?
There are three simple ways to activate your personalized card:
- Visit Walgreens.com/BalanceFinancial and click the Activate button
- Call our customer service line at 888-924-2653
- Visit a kiosk at any Walgreens store near you.
When can I use my instant issue card?
You can start using your Balance Financial Prepaid MasterCard as soon as it is successfully activated. You should receive your personalized card in the mail within 7-10 business days. Please remember to activate your personalized card once you receive it by either visiting Walgreens.com/BalanceFinancial or by calling the automated customer service line at 888-924-2653.
How long before I receive my Balance Financial Prepaid MasterCard?
Upon successful activation of the card you purchased, your personalized Balance Financial Card will arrive within 7-10 business days.
Using Your Card
Where can I use my Balance Financial Prepaid MasterCard?
You can use your card online, over the phone, and everywhere Debit MasterCard is accepted–including: grocery stores, gas stations, restaurants, and more.
Can I use my card to rent a car?
Whether your Balance Financial Prepaid MasterCard can be used to rent a car depends on the car rental agency. When you make a car reservation, it is called an “open-end transaction”. What this means is that the total amount due is unknown. The car rental agency has the right to authorize more than the initial payment to cover fuel refills or damages that may occur during your car rental. The car rental agency can place a hold on these funds for up to 45 days or more. Many times the card will not have sufficient funds to cover additional charges; for this reason, some car rental agencies do not accept prepaid cards. However, some car rental agencies will accept prepaid cards under special rules; therefore, we recommend you first call the car rental agency and inquire about their prepaid card policy.
Is the Balance Financial Prepaid MasterCard a credit card?
No, the Balance Financial Prepaid MasterCard is not a credit card. The Balance Financial Prepaid MasterCard is a prepaid card. What this means is that you must first add money to your Balance Financial Prepaid MasterCard card account in order to spend money using your card. You can add money to your Balance Financial Card at any Walgreens or Duane Reade store, by direct deposit, or by bank ACH direct load. When you use your Balance Financial Card, the amount of your purchase is deducted from the loaded balance.
What are the load limits for the Balance Financial Prepaid MasterCard?
- The minimum amount of each initial load is $10.00.
- The minimum amount of each reload is $10.00.
- The maximum amount of the initial load is $500.00 if using cash, $1,500 from a PIN-based debit card, and $2000.00 via Payroll/Government check. See participating store for limits on check cashing.
- The maximum amount of each reload is $500.00 if using cash, $1,500 from a PIN-based debit card, $10,000.00 max value for ACH credit or direct deposit, and up to $5,000.00 using other methods.
What are the fees?
A complete fee schedule is located here.
Can I use ATMs?
Yes! If you have activated your card and setup your PIN, you can get cash at an ATM. Simply insert your card into the machine and enter your PIN. Select “checking” to make a withdrawal and enter the amount of cash you want to withdraw. Then take your cash, card, and receipt to keep track of your balance. To avoid ATM fees, visit an ATM at most Walgreens or Duane Reade stores near you. Secondary cards cannot access cash at ATMs. Select ATMs within Walgreens or Duane Reade stores may not offer no-fee cash withdrawals.
Where can I access no-fee ATMs?
You can withdraw cash at no cost at most ATMs located in a Walgreens or Duane Reade near you. Select ATMs within Walgreens or Duane Reade stores may not offer no-fee cash withdrawals.
Can I use my card internationally?
In order to use your personalized Balance Financial Prepaid MasterCard internationally, you need to contact customer service. The instant issue card cannot be used internationally.
Adding Money
How do I sign up for direct deposit?
Setting up Direct Deposit is easy. Simply log into your Balance Financial online account and go to the Direct Deposit option under “Add Money”. Click the option to print a direct deposit form or write down your routing and account number and give it to your payroll or benefits provider.
Can I get secondary cards?
Yes! Simply log in to your online account, click on the “More From Your Card” tab, and select Add a Card. You can have up to three (3) secondary cards. Secondary cards are available for individuals 13 and older. A $2.95 Secondary Card Fee will be assessed for each secondary card requested.
How do I add money to my secondary card?
Secondary cards can only be loaded from the primary card account. Simply log into your online account and click on the Send Money tab to initiate card-to-card transfers. This can also be done using the Balance Financial Card mobile app.
How do I reload my card?
- Cash: Simply take your cash and your Balance Financial Prepaid MasterCard to any Walgreens near you and tell the checkout cashier you want to load funds to your card. The cashier will scan your card, load the cash on your card, and collect the $2.95 reload fee. Funds will be available on your card in minutes.
- Check: You may deposit a payroll, tax refund or government check to your card at any Walgreens or Duane Reade store. The funds will be automatically loaded onto your Balance Financial Prepaid MasterCard.*
- PIN Debit: You may transfer funds from any other account using PIN debit. Simply present the debit card and your Balance Financial Prepaid MasterCard to a checkout cashier at any Walgreens near you. The cashier will swipe your debit card and ask you to enter that card’s PIN number. The cashier will then load the funds onto your Balance Financial Prepaid MasterCard. Funds will be available on your card in minutes. A $2.95 reload fee will apply.
- Direct Deposit: You can get your paychecks or government checks directly deposited into your Balance Financial Prepaid MasterCard. Simply log into your Balance Financial online account and go to the Add Money section to download and print a direct deposit form, or write down your routing and account number and give it to your payroll or benefits provider.
- Bank Transfer: You can transfer money from your bank, credit union, or other financial institution to your Balance Financial Card via ACH.
*A $2.95 load fee will apply to cash loads at any Walgreens or Duane Reade stores. There is no fee for loads to cards from cashing payroll, tax refund or government checks at any Walgreens or Duane Reade stores.The Balance Financial Prepaid MasterCard is not available for purchase in Hawaii and the US Virgin Islands.
Can I send money to other Balance Financial cardholders?
Yes! Simply log into your online account and choose an existing Balance Financial cardholder. Enter the required information to transfer the funds. The funds will be available in minutes. You can also download and use the Balance Financial mobile app.
Can I receive a tax refund or other one-time deposits on the card?
Yes! Funds from your Federal or State income tax refunds or other one-time payments from institutions can be deposited directly onto your Balance Financial Prepaid MasterCard. Simply provide the institution with your routing and account number. You can access this information by logging in to your online account.
Can I receive government benefits on the card?
Yes! Simply log into your Balance Financial online account and go to the Direct Deposit option under “Add Money”. Click the option to print a direct deposit form or write down your bank routing and account number and give to your benefits provider.
Card Account And Card Management
What happens if I return merchandise?
When you return something you purchased with your Balance Financial Card, the merchant will credit the amount of the return to your card account. Returns are handled via the merchant’s bank. Credits may take 3-5 business days to appear in your Balance Financial Card account.
How do I check my balance?
To check your available balance, log into your online account by visiting Walgreens.com/BalanceFinancial. You can also call 888-924-2653 or download the Balance Financial mobile app.
Can I get text or email balance alerts?
Yes! Wireless Alerts can be set up to send a text message* or email of your balance when any card activity occurs. You can sign up for these convenient services from your online account, through the Balance Financial mobile app, or by calling the automated customer service line at 888-924-2653.
Can I have more than one card?
You may request a secondary card for another person. The maximum number of secondary cards permitted is three (3). You remain liable for any and all usage of a secondary card you authorize. You are the only one permitted to add funds to secondary card(s). The maximum amount of each load to a secondary card is $500 per day. The maximum card balance for an additional card is $2500.
What is the personal identification number (PIN)?
A PIN is a four-digit number that is used when making purchases and obtaining cash. It is a security feature that personalizes your Balance Financial Card. We recommend you keep this number safe; do not keep it in your wallet or write it on your Balance Financial Prepaid MasterCard.
Why do I need a PIN?
You will need your PIN if you select “Debit” when you swipe your Balance Financial Prepaid MasterCard, but not if you select “Credit”. Also, the ATM console will require you to input your PIN when withdrawing cash.
How do I set my PIN?
You can set your PIN by calling our automated customer service line at 888-924-2653. When you set your PIN, choose a number that you are familiar with so you don’t easily forget it.
What if I forget my PIN?
You can reset your PIN by logging into your online account at Walgreens.com/BalanceFinancial or by calling our automated customer service line at 888-924-2653.
How can I check my transaction history?
You can view your transaction history by logging into your Balance Financial online account and selecting History. The History page will display a history of transactions and your available balance. You can also check your transaction history by calling our automated customer service line at 888-924-2653, or by using the Balance Financial mobile app.
What happens if my card is lost or stolen?
If your card is lost or stolen, call the automated customer service line at 888-924-2653 to deactivate your card and prevent unauthorized use. A replacement card will automatically be issued and mailed out to you. A $2.95 Lost, Stolen or Damaged Card Replacement Fee will be assessed.
What if I discover unauthorized or fraudulent use?
If you discover unauthorized or fraudulent use on your card, contact the customer service line at 888-924-2653 and speak to a customer service representative.
Can I return the card to the store to get my money back?
No. You will not be able to return the card to the store once you purchased the card. If you decide you no longer want the card, you can spend the funds on the card or call 888-924-2653 to close your account and request a refund via a check. A Check Refund Fee in the amount of $2.95 will apply and will be deducted from your balance.
Get More From Your Card
When are customer service agents available?
Balance Financial customer service agents are available by calling 888-924-2653, Monday through Friday from 5:00 am to 11:00 pm, or Saturday and Sunday from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm, Mountain Standard Time. You can also access your account balance, transaction history, or report your Balance Financial Prepaid MasterCard lost or stolen 24 hours a day by calling the Balance Financial automated customer service line at 888-924-2653.
*Standard text messaging rates from your wireless service provider may apply.
The Balance Financial Prepaid MasterCard is issued by The Bancorp Bank pursuant to license from MasterCard International Incorporated. The card can be used everywhere Debit MasterCard is accepted. The Bancorp Bank; Member FDIC.
MasterCard is a registered trademark of MasterCard International Incorporated.