For those of you who don't have a checking account and need one...Look here.

[atam28]

Currently I have bad credit and can not have a standard checking account with a bank...because creditors can tap into it and take my money.

But I was told a way to avoid this....

All you need to do is get a prepaid debit card. (Not the one you buy in a store most of those are not re-loadable)

There are many sites out there that offer these, just do your research first, make sure they are legit and look for fees.

I use NetSPend.
It's free to sign up, I got my Visa card in a week.
The fee is $10/month but since I set up direct deposit it's only $5/mo.
Once I signed up for direct deposit I received a "Premier" Visa card.

To put money on it you can do direct deposit or go to a western union and make the deposit (that costs about $4)

To take out money, just use it like a debit card or atm card.
You can also do bill pay online too.

With the premier card you also have a $10 "pillow" in case you over extend your spending.
And you can have a savings account too that earns 5% per year.

I looked into this long and hard before I did this.
It's safe and easy in my opinion.

If you have questions let me know.

I can refer you if you want...I think you get $20 for it.

And it's backed by the BBB and is FDIC insured.

But like I said, there are several companies that do this.
Do your research and find what is going to work for you.
Look for the BBB logo.

I hope my thread helped someone.

[katycamilo]

These debit card information are very importants.

[Annella]

atam28, what a good thread!  I know someone in this very position, and they cannot get a regular checking account.  How about getting cash?  Do you take it to a regular ATM or what?  This friend is so dejected because they were refused at 3 banks for bad credit.  Thank you for being brave enough to post this.  This was a blessing to find this.  Now I can give my friend some hope.  They were so afraid of not knowing how to do anything without a checking account.

[atam28]

atam28, what a good thread!  I know someone in this very position, and they cannot get a regular checking account.  How about getting cash?  Do you take it to a regular ATM or what?  This friend is so dejected because they were refused at 3 banks for bad credit.  Thank you for being brave enough to post this.  This was a blessing to find this.  Now I can give my friend some hope.  They were so afraid of not knowing how to do anything without a checking account.

Annella,

You would use the debit card like you would any other.

Since it's a Visa (in my case) or a MasterCard, it's accepted anywhere those cards are accepted.
It has YOUR name on it, so no one would know that is a prepaid debit card and cause you any embarrassment.
Also, you can use it at any ATM. You just have the same ATM fees you would with a foreign ATM like if you had a bank account.

I'm not ashamed of my situation, I just have poor credit and am slowly paying off my debt.
I just feel safer knowing that collection agencies can't touch my hard earned money.

I really hope this helps some people here.

[Annella]

God bless you for posting this.  Her past checking and savings accounts have been seized before.  It was a mess for her.

[Sweetpea94]

Hey thanks for the info I'm going to look into this.  Sounds like a great deal.  Does having this help to rebuild or establish credit?

[rcadams1980]

Netspend is a really great way to go.  I don't think you can establish or rebuild credit, but there is a way to obtain payday loans.

[hemapreethaa]

As itz something that is not related to credit, I dont think this is nothing to do with credit score, if itz then the Coll people will also come to know as they have access to ur credit's. All the very best to u'll.

[debrar]

I've been with Netspend for over 10 years now, and my children are on this too. The great thing about this is the direct deposit, you will get your money before anyone else that you work with, and also you can transfer money with no charge to anyone that has Netspend. My children are away in college and it's is the fastest way to send them money without any outrageous charges with those other companies.

They also have bill pay only charges a dollar, and you can send money to anyone or a check via their bill pay.

Great thing to have once my card got money scammed $5,000.00, I knew when it happened exactly because of the alerts that came to my cell, got my money back within 30 days because of their Federal Insurance. They were for airline tickets to the Philippines and India, I knew exactly where they were purchased too.

Great company. 

[bhm42004]

I have a netspend card too & it has been pretty good. I also have an account now card, that has been working out good too. (i have the same issue with the bank accounts frozen by past issues with my ex-husband.) Reloadable debit cards are great! 

[atam28]

I'm very happy this post could help people

[Annella]

It really has atam28!!

[exbat]

atam28: can you message me? I am looking to sign up with netspend and would love a refer code.

Great post BTW!