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Frequently Asked Questions

If you can not find an answer to your question, then please contact us.

How can I load a Card?

You can load your PFS Prepaid Mastercard using the method below.

  • Online - Register your debit/credit card online with us to link the card to your Prepaid card. Once you have registered your debit/credit card you can then load funds directly to your prepaid card.

    You can register your debit/credit card to your prepaid card by logging onto our online banking platform here and following the instructions from there.

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Activate your card

To begin using your PFS Prepaid Mastercard card you must first activate it.

To activate your card, you must call us on any of the three numbers below and follow the instructions.

  • +44 (0) 203 327 1991
  • +44 (0) 203 468 4112
  • +44 (0) 207 183 2248

Once activated your card is ready for use online and in ATM's across 210 countries and territories displaying the Mastercard Acceptance Mark.

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Where to use your card?

As a cardholder, you can use your card to make purchases online, in-store and over the phone. You can use your prepaid card across 210 countries and territories displaying the Mastercard Acceptance Mark.

  1. Shopping securely online - Your card is not linked to your bank account greatly reducing the risk of fraud when you shop online.
  2. Sending money to family and friends - PFS cardholders can send money to other PFS cardholders instantly for a set rate of 1.5%.
  3. Individuals with a poor credit rating - Any resident of the UK over 18 years of age is eligible for a PFS card. No credit checks.
  4. Managing your budget - Set out your budget, load it to the card and you can be safe in the knowledge you can never spend more than you can afford
  5. Online gambling - If you like an occasional flutter on the horses or playing online poker the PFS card could be ideal for you.
  6. Wages Payments - Cashing wages cheques can be both costly and time consuming.
  7. Business Expenses cards - Business expenses cards provide a quick distribution method for company expenses or per diem allowances.
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How to upgrade your card?

When you purchase a PFS card online your card can be loaded to a maximum of £120. If you wish to increase this limit you can do so by upgrading to PFS ‘Plus’. PFS ‘Plus’ cardholders can load up to £5,000 to their card.

PFS 'Plus' cardholders have access to load their card with a debit card. In order to upgrade your card to 'Plus' you must provide us with proof of your identity (passport or driver's license) and a proof of address (utility bill or bank statement). You can easily upgrade to the PFS 'Plus' by logging into your online account, selecting the 'Upgrade' button and uploading scanned colour copies of your documents.

If you would prefer to post these documents, please send colour scans of your documents to


Prepaid Financial Services Ltd,
Fourth Floor, 
35 Great St Helen's, 
London, 
EC3A 6AP

*The upgrade fee is £5.

Please note you must have at least £5 available balance on your card if you wish to upgrade your card.

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SMS Functionality

In order to use the SMS commands, you will first need to have registered a mobile phone number to your PFS Prepaid Card during your card application process. If you haven't registered your mobile number during your card application, you can register the number once you have logged in to your card account online.

Once this is done, you will be able to use the following commands with your PFS Card by sending simple text messages to the phone number +44 (0) 762 480 3759.

Retrieve your PIN

This functionality allows you to get the PIN for your PFS card

Text PIN <Last 8 digits of your card number> to +44 (0) 7624803759
Example: PIN 12345678

Load Funds

Allows you to load your own card using your debit card that is pre-registered on the system.

Text LOAD <Last four digits of your card number> <Amount> to +44 (0) 7624803759
Example: LOAD 1234 5000

Note that the amount is expressed in the currency of your PFS Card. So, in the example above either £50.00/€50.00/$50.00 was loaded depending on the currency of your card.

Transfer Funds

Transfer funds from your PFS card to another PFS Card.

Using recipient card number

Text TOCARD <Last four digits of your card number> <Recipient card number> <Amount> to +44 (0) 7624803759
Example: TOCARD 1234 5299650000000000 1000

Using the recipient mobile number

Text TOCARD <Last four digits of your card number> <Recipient mobile phone number> <Amount> to +44 (0) 7624803759
Example: TOCARD 1234 00447974171234 1000
The card number entered is the card number of the person you are transferring funds to. Note that the amount is expressed in the currency of the sending in £/€/$. So, in the example above £10.00, € or $ would have been sent depending on the currency of your card.

Balance

Find out the current balance on your PFS card.

Text BALANCE <Last four digits of your card number> to +44 (0) 7624803759
Example: BALANCE 1234
You will receive an instant SMS back with the up-to-date balance on your card.

Lock & Unlock

To temporarily prevent any withdrawals from cash machines (ATMs) and purchases via retailers (POS), you can lock your PFS card.

Text LOCK <Last four digits of your card number> to +44 (0) 7624803759
Example: LOCK 1234
Text UNLOCK <Last four digits of your card number> to +44 (0) 7624803759
Example: UNLOCK 1234
Please note that this command is intended to be used for temporarily locking your card to stop others attempting to use it or if you do not wish to use it for an extended period of time. If you suspect that your card is lost or has been stolen, you should email customer services at [email protected] immediately.

SMS System Help

You do not need to memorise or know all these commands by heart. You can always view these commands online on the website or if you don't have access to the internet, you can view the SMS commands with the instruction below

Text HELP to +44 (0) 7624803759
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Is a PFS Prepaid Mastercard Card a normal debit card or credit card?

Prepaid Mastercards provided by PFS are not credit cards, charge cards or debit cards. PFS Prepaid Mastercards are reloadable cards, issued by a financial institution. Cards are available in different currency denominations. Each time the card is used, the value of the purchase is deducted from the funds available on the card. Funds are loaded onto the card either at the time of purchase or at a later date. The value is held at a bank and not on the card. The card does not offer credit. In essence, you need to load funds on to your card before you can use those funds.

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What can I use my PFS prepaid Mastercard for?

The PFS Prepaid Mastercard can be used for many purposes such as:

  • Transferring wages to your card
  • To pay employees their wages onto the card
  • To manage payments for travel expenses, fuel expenses, subsistence, amongst others
  • To carry travel money on a card for safe and secure use abroad
  • To share money with friends and family through additional cards
  • To make or receive Insurance Claim payouts
  • To use safely and securely on Gaming sites and make and receive winnings payouts
  • Online Shopping 24/7, 365 days of the year

Essentially, you can use PFS Prepaid Mastercards for your business or for yourself to make purchases online, over the phone and in-store at over 25 million locations worldwide, and withdrawals at over 1 million ATM locations worldwide where Mastercard is accepted.

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How do Prepaid Cards work?

PFS Prepaid Mastercard cards operate on the standard Mastercard networks. The PFS Prepaid Mastercard Card can be used like any debit card. The prepaid value loaded on the card can be used by cardholders at participating retail merchant locations for purchases and ATM's worldwide for withdrawals. Funds will be immediately debited from the cardholder's balance upon authorisation of any transaction. Purchases or cash withdrawals are deducted from the balance until the loaded value is spent. The card can be loaded over and over again. A full transaction history can be viewed via an online account management facility and using mobile phone

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How can a cardholder load their card?

Any form of payment can be accepted, including loading via:

  • Debit Card online
  • Via Bank Transfer or Standing Order
  • Via Wage Transfer
  • Via SMS Text Messages from your phone
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Can clients' access card transaction data (volume and value on Prepaid Cards)?

Yes. PFS provides each of its clients with access to real-time comprehensive information on their program. This information enables our clients to actively monitor the status of their card program and utilise the information to follow consumer trends for their own marketing and promotions campaigns.

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When applying for a Prepaid Card, are customers required to sign an agreement or accept any terms and conditions?

Upon application all applicants must read and accept the terms and conditions of the card program. These terms and conditions are approved by the issuing bank. Click here to view the terms and conditions.

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What process do cardholders follow once they receive their Prepaid Card?

Upon receipt of a Prepaid Card, cardholders must sign the back of the card in the box highlighted "authorised signature" and then activate their card as per the instructions provided in the welcome pack. Cards must be activated through a website before cardholders can access their funds or load funds onto their Prepaid Card.

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How do I activate my Prepaid Card and retrieve the PIN?

The process to activate your card is easy. You can follow the instructions on the letter attached to your card or alternatively follow these simple steps.

  • Call the IVR number
  • Enter the 16-digit card number on the middle front of your card
  • Enter your date of birth using the correct format (For US customers MM/DD/YY, UK and EU cardholders DD/MM/YY and for Range customers only DD/MM/YYYY)

Your PIN will be read out to you. You must never share this with anyone.

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Can Prepaid Cards be re-loaded with additional funds?

Yes, PFS Prepaid Mastercard Card products can be topped up subject to the maximum balance available on the cardholder's card. Depending upon our client's requirements, cardholders can re-load (top up) their cards by SMS, telephone, online or at over 30,000 participating top-up locations.

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How long does it take for topped up funds to be available on the card?

Upon authorisation of top-up transaction, funds will be available on the cardholder's card for use within a few minutes. For more details click here to view the terms and conditions.

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Do Prepaid Cards utilize a PIN Number?

Yes. Usually the secure Personal Identification Number (PIN) is delivered two to three days after you have received your card. The Prepaid Card can be used at ATM's and point-of-sale (POS) locations worldwide. It is delivered separately from the card for security reasons.

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Is there a limit as to how many Prepaid Cards customers can have?

Yes. This depends on the program definitions agreed with our clients.

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How can cardholders check their balance?

Cardholders can check their transactions and account balance 24/7 - 365 days of the year through our Internet account management system or via SMS. Click here to view the terms and conditions.

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Where can cardholders use their Prepaid Card abroad?

Cardholder's can use their cards to make purchases of products, goods and services at any location that accepts Mastercard. PFS Prepaid Mastercard Cards are accepted at over 25 million locations and over 1 million ATM locations worldwide. In addition, cardholder's can use their cards online wherever the Mastercard acceptance mark is displayed.

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What happens when a cardholder's Prepaid Card expires?

Any PFS Prepaid Mastercard Card is valid for 24 months. Upon expiration, cardholder's cards will no longer be available for any use. Clients can select to automatically send cardholders a replacement card with all available balance on their new card or the cardholder can request a payment of the remaining balance on the card and close the account. For more details click here to view the terms and conditions.

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What happens if a cardholder's card is lost?

Cardholders are required to contact the call centre and request a new card. The cardholder's card will then be cancelled and a replacement card will be sent to them subject to a replacement fee stated in the terms and conditions.

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Will cardholders earn interest on the balance of their Prepaid Card account?

No, cardholders will not earn any interest on the balance of funds loaded onto their cards or incur any interest on their spending.

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What are the fees for using a PFS Prepaid Mastercard Card?

All fees can be viewed on our terms and conditions.

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Do cardholders require a good credit rating in order to apply for a card?

No. The Prepaid Card is not a credit card. Neither is linked to your bank account. Hence, no credit checks are required.

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