 TITLE: What Is a Prepaid Card? CONTENT: How to Use and Reload a Prepaid Card\n------------------------------------\nSince they're typically part of a payment network such as Visa, Mastercard or American Express, prepaid cards can be used to make purchases at any merchant that participates in that network. Each time you use a prepaid card, it will authorize a purchase up to the amount of funds remaining on the card, but not more. If you don't have sufficient funds loaded on the card to make a purchase, the transaction will be declined.\nPrepaid cards generally can also be used to withdraw cash from ATMs, but fees may be charged. To use your prepaid card at an ATM, you'll create a four-digit personal identification number (PIN), like you would with a debit card. You can also use your PIN to make certain transactions that require a debit card. Additionally, some prepaid cards allow you to make online bill payments.\nTypically, you can load a prepaid card using the following methods:\n*   Cash\n*   Debit card\n*   Transfer from checking or savings\n*   Direct deposit from your employer\n*   Check\n*   Transfer of government benefits, including a tax refund.\nIt's less likely you'll be able to load a prepaid debit card using a credit card. END