The first thing you need to understand when it comes to free prepaid credit cards is that nothing's really ever free. Sure, you might not have to pay an activation fee or there might not be a monthly maintenance fee, but that doesn't mean you won't have to pay transaction fees or reload fees.
When looking at free prepaid credit cards, you need to look closely at the terms and conditions of the cards. What a credit card company thinks is "free" might not be the same definition you had in mind.
2. Assess All Of The Fees
As I said before, free prepaid credit cards aren't really ever free. There is always some sort of fee involved. Because of this, when you're shopping for free prepaid credit cards, you need to look at all of the fees they could posisbly charge.
Confused?
Here's an example. Let's say the prepaid credit card you're looking at doesn't charge a set-up fee, but charges a monthly fee of $5.95 and a transaction fee of $1 each time you use the card. If you use the card 10 times each month, you're paying $15.95 per month for the card. On the other hand, a prepaid credit card that charges a $9.95 setup fee with no monthly fee and no transaction fees will cost you a lot less in the long run.
Starting to see the picture?
This is why it is so important to understand all of the fees involved when looking at free prepaid credit cards. Not just the fact that there are no initial set-up fees. The companies offering free prepaid credit cards need to make their money somehow, and it's not beneath some of them to sneak the fees in where they think you won't be looking.
3. Hidden Fees
Some free prepaid credit cards are really sneaky when it comes to tacking on extra fees. For instance, you may think you're getting a free prepaid credit card that has a low or no monthly maintenance fee, but you are suddenly surprised with a $20 "fullfillment" fee for shipping and handling.
A word to the wise -- read ALL of the fine print when applying for free prepaid credit cards. In the prepaid credit card world, what you don't know CAN hurt you.
